#non violent protest

Mary Feliz

For my friends who aren’t local to Portland and have no idea from whence this whole frog thing sprang…

Now known as “The Portland Frog” one kinda nerdy twenty-something dude decided he didn’t like the way ICE was treating people. So he joined some other protestors, put on a frog suit, illuminated it with a glow stick for safety, and stood in front of ICE headquarters in Portland, letting them know someone was watching. He was steadfast, doing it every day, all through the summer.

But then an ICE agent shot pepper spray in the vent of his costume. And other ICE agents pointed and laughed. Someone filmed it and put it on TikTok or Insta.

A local news station interviewed him about the incident. And the frog said something about the experience along the lines of “Kinda minty. I’ve had spicier. I’m Mexican.”

When asked why he was out there, night after night, the frog said he was concerned about his family and neighbors. “Human beings should be treated like human beings,” he said. “Anything else is wrong.” Sometimes he just stood there. Sometimes he danced.

Two other frogs joined him. Then a unicorn and a shark. A polar bear and a dinosaur. And another chicken. They had a dance party.

A bagpiper on a unicycle. Older people playing ukuleles. A brass band from Washington state.

And now he’s a movement. There are songs and posters and memes about him. Chicago is doing the same thing. And the frog is still out there. Every night. Steadfast.

If you ever wonder what you, just one person, can do—think of the frog. If you are ever anxious about showing up to protest, think of the frog, facing down ICE night after night. If he can do it. You can do it. We can do it. Together.

Update: As of now, (10/17) there is a Free Library of costumes called “Operation Inflation” thrown together in a hurry by some friends who chipped in on 160 costumes. They’ve vowed to buy more if needed. One of the founders quipped “This whole thing blew up really fast!”

Rachel Maddow has covered the story, as have most of the Late Night shows and Comedy Central’s Daily Show. Everyone agrees it is going to be really difficult for ICE to pin down any of these protestors and maintain the narrative that the protestors are the vicious terrorists.

And…this post has been shared more often than any other post I’ve ever made. Go, Froggy!

ART by Nikkolas Smith www.nikkolas.art

The No Kings protest in Bellingham, WA, went very well. Thousands of people gathered peacefully and held their protest without any problems. The police set up barricades but didn't bother the protesters... As it should be. What a concept... Things have not been as they should be since January. I'm glad that things stayed peaceful... 🙏🏼✌🏼💜

Update on Mr. Rodriguez from Chicago

They didn't allow the family to visit at the hospital. That hospital is complicit in enabling ICE' bs. We won’t be violent about it but we can put public pressure NATION WIDE if people want to call and comment on the situation.

PLEASE SHARE THIS!!!!!

Silence is compliance. Get loud now, the constitutional crisis is escalating exponentially.

Our sense of urgency needs to escalate with it.