Subject: Portland Frog
Culture: American
Setting: United States 2025 and after
Context (Event Photos, Primary Sources, Secondary Sources, Field Notes)
"In the city known for putting "weird" culture on the map, protestors have begun wearing inflatable animal costumes to protest Trump's "war-torn" description of Portland. It all started with one lone frog."
* STF! Webmaster 2025-10-15 online
"A giant inflatable frog has become an unlikely hero in Portland, Oregon. Amidst protests and demonstrations, this whimsical amphibian has captured hearts, sparked conversations, and gone viral across social media platforms. But beyond the humor and spectacle lies an extraordinary opportunity: to channel this moment of global attention toward urgent amphibian conservation efforts and peaceful activism.
"The Portland Frog: Symbol of Nonviolent Resistance The Portland Frog emerged during high-profile protests as a peaceful, humorous symbol of resistance. Protesters donning frog costumes and inflatable frog suits have created striking visual imagery that resonates across news outlets and social media. The frog has become emblematic of nonviolent protest, representing creative resistance to perceived governmental overreach while maintaining a lighthearted, approachable presence."
"Something about a bulbous frogman in a jaunty bandana responding to a barrage of ICE agents’ pepper balls with a taunting dance seems to be resonating. It’s inspired not just A-grade memes, but also hearts and minds. As videos of the Portland Frog became near-inescapable on TikTok and X recently, more frogs have been appearing at Portland protests. They’ve also spread across state lines, popping up in Chicago, too. Considering the brisk business those inflatable suits are now doing on Amazon, many more appear set to confuse ICE agents in a city near you".
"Animal costumes — and the frog specifically — have quickly become a symbol of anti-Trump protests in 2025. The silliness of the costumes can be disarming, and the imagery flies in the face of President Donald Trump’s description of Portland as 'war ravaged.' The inflatable frogs mock what those inside them would describe as government overreach.
"That is quite a turnabout for frog symbolism in politics.
"A decade ago, artist Matt Furie’s Pepe the Frog was co-opted as a mascot of sorts by the alt-right. The frog was linked with racism and anti-Semitism, and in 2016 the Anti-Defamation League added Pepe to its list of hate symbols.
"Then in 2019, protesters in Hong Kong adopted Pepe as a symbol of democracy as they fought against authoritarianism.
"Fast forward to 2025, and it was one Portland protester’s difficult experience that brought renewed attention to a certain amphibian as a political symbol. As one famous frog has said, 'It’s not easy being green.'"
Costume
"Speaking with a reporter, the original frog explained their motivations behind the costume. 'I come out here day in and day out since June because I am worried about my community. I am concerned with what is happening in my community,' they said. 'I don’t want to see anybody treated inhumanely, and to see this happen to my community members, my friends, my family, my neighbors, it's unacceptable.'
"'So, I'm out here protesting in a frog costume — especially in a frog costume — just to show how ridiculous the notion that we are violent terrorists is. It's just to showcase how that narrative is wrong, and it does a lot more damage than good.' Well, the frogs have since multiplied, now calling themselves the 'Portland Frog Brigade.'"
* Berkowitz 2025-10-14 online
"Ordinarily, when a man dons an inflatable frog costume, it makes him look ridiculous.
"When a man in an inflatable frog costume gets attacked by agents of the state, however, those agents are the ones who look ridiculous. None of this seems lost on scores of nonviolent protesters in Portland, Oregon, and Chicago recently. That’s likely why more of them now appear bent on finding inventive ways to make an absurdist spectacle of the president’s absurd military incursion into U.S. cities—even if it means going full Kermit."
