Subject: Portland Frog
Culture: American
Setting: United States 2025 and after
Event Photos
"Videos of the cartoonishly unflappable frog confronting federal law enforcement officers in riot gear were already making the rounds on social media when one particular moment went viral. A federal officer holding a big can of pepper spray very clearly targeted Todd as he had his back turned.
'"I don't really think it got picked up until like after I got pepper sprayed,' [Seth] Todd said. 'I got maced in the frog hole, in the air vent. ... It mainly stuck to my skin and stuff.'
"Pretty soon after that, Todd's frog became a symbol of community resistance. Now frogs are on posters plastered across downtown Portland, on T-shirts and original pieces of art, while local shops are selling out of frog toys.
"Frogs like Todd's were the unofficial mascot of the massive October 'No Kings' protest. They're often accompanied by statements like 'Don't obey,' 'Resist,' or 'Frogs together strong.'
"'(There were) people wearing frog hats calling themselves the Frog Brigade, I thought that was pretty dope,' Todd said.
"Todd's frog is now such a phenomenon that it's gone well beyond the small Portland pond. People dress as frogs at ICE protests in Chicago, too, and elsewhere. Inflatable costumes of all kinds are even more ubiquitous."
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Field Notes
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