How to Frog: The Inflatable Protestor’s Handbook
Grab your friends and create your own brigade of whatever whimsical absurdity you can come up with, and get out there and let your voice be heard! Here’s how.
Wait, this is silly … why frogs?
Peaceful, Playful, Prepared
Inflatable costumes disarm aggression through humor, invite cameras through absurdity, and remind everyone that dissent can be joyful. They also make you a big, puffy target — so preparation matters.
Getting Your Costume
Where to Buy: Search online for “inflatable costume” + your chosen animal (frog, dinosaur, unicorn, etc.) via Amazon, eBay, or specialty shops like SpookShop, Morphsuits, or Costume SuperCenter.
Custom Options: Etsy makers can print or sew logos or custom designs.
What to Look For:
Internal battery-powered fan with replaceable AA pack and/or USB power connection.
Reinforced seams and thicker nylon for durability.
Proper size for your needs, ensuring your mobility and visibility.
Bright colors for visibility and safety.
Comfort & Practicality
Underlayer: Lightweight, sweat-wicking clothes.
Hydration: Pre-hydrate and keep water accessible.
Fogging: Use a small rag or hat brim cloth as a hands-free squeegee.
Battery life: Bring spares or a USB power bank.
Mobility: Practice walking, crouching, and sitting beforehand.
Visibility: Always have a spotter — your partner and guide.
Heat: Take breaks every 20–30 minutes to cool down and breathe.
Emergency exit: Keep a small tool handy to cut out of the suit quickly if it deflates or fills with irritants.
Safety & De-Escalation
Your costume is both armor and message. Let it protect, not provoke.
Stay in pairs or pods; designate a meetup point if separated.
Keep hands visible near police or security.
If confronted: breathe, lower your body language, speak calmly.
“I hear you. We’re here peacefully.”
Mirror calm tone; never mock or shout.
Use humor only to diffuse, never to taunt.
If aggression escalates: back away calmly; regroup with allies.
If tear gas or pepper spray is used:
Move upwind or crosswind.
Flush eyes with clean water or saline (not milk).
Avoid rubbing face or clothing; seal contaminated clothes in a bag.
After the Protest
Debrief with your pod: what worked, what didn’t, who needs support.
Clean and air out your costume (a light vinegar-water spray works).
Share footage responsibly: blur faces of participants; protect privacy.
Remember: Peaceful protest is not passive — it’s strategic restraint. Inflatable suits turn repression into theater and fear into laughter.
Rules of Engagement
If you act under the name or spirit of the Portland Frog Brigade, you are expected to uphold the following rules. Anyone who does not is, by definition, not part of the Brigade. See our disclaimer below.
Purpose
Protect people. Preserve joy. Model effective nonviolent protest. Our presence should widen the coalition — not narrow it.
Core Principles
Nonviolence, always. Strategic restraint and de-escalation over reaction.
No antagonizing. Toward police, counter-protesters, media, or bystanders.
Positive tone. Humor, music, dance, play — not taunts or obscenities.
Safety in community. No one operates alone; we move as pods.
Message discipline. Grow participation and public sympathy through clarity and kindness.
Respect. Be respectful of the needs of others as we support their efforts.
Conduct On-Site
Always be aware and respectful of the situation and conduct yourself with decorum.
Keep distance from authorities; follow lawful orders.
Operate in pods (3–6 people) with a spotter for each group.
Maintain situational awareness and retreat together if conditions shift.
No weapons or anything that could be construed as one.
Signs & visuals: Positive, inclusive, and non-antagonistic.
De-escalate first. Breathe, palms visible, calm voice, step back rather than argue.
If chemical agents are deployed: move upwind, flush with water/saline, bag contaminated items.
Inflatable Guidelines
Wear breathable layers, hydrate, and take cooling breaks.
Practice mobility and communication with your spotter.
Bring spare batteries or power banks.
Know your limits and exit plan.
What We Don’t Do
No provoking or obscene chants.
No property damage or blocking emergency access.
No doxxing, stalking, or online pile-ons.
No masking intent — transparency builds trust.
Security & Privacy
Share plans only on a need-to-know basis.
Use secure communication channels.
Vet participation with discretion; openness doesn’t mean recklessness.
Protect privacy when sharing media or stories.
Media & Messaging
Assume cameras are always on.
Designate documentarians separate from performers.
Share media through official PFB channels when possible.
Always blur faces of minors or non-participants.
Message anchors:
“We are peaceful, art-driven protestors using humor to defuse fear.”
“Nonviolent movements invite broader participation.”
“Our goal is to replace fear with dignity and joy.”
Legal & Safety Phrases
If detained, remain calm and polite. Say only:
“Am I free to go?”
“I wish to remain silent.”
“I do not consent to this search.”
“Am I under arrest?”
“I want to speak to a lawyer.”
Disclaimer
The Portland Frog Brigade (PFB) is a creative, non-violent community dedicated to the peaceful and lawful expression of free speech. Our mission is to model and promote art-driven, bridge-building activism that uplifts dialogue, empathy, and collective imagination.
PFB does not organize or condone any form of violence, destruction, or harassment. Any individual who engages in violent, threatening, or unlawful behavior — whether or not they appear in frog attire, or claim affiliation with the Brigade — acts entirely on their own and is not a member, representative, or participant of the Portland Frog Brigade.
Participation in any public event, gathering, or demonstration is done at each individual’s own risk and discretion. The Portland Frog Brigade, its organizers, and affiliates assume no responsibility or liability for the actions, safety, or conduct of independent participants or third parties.
By engaging with or referencing the Portland Frog Brigade in any capacity, you acknowledge that:
PFB is a decentralized, volunteer-driven network advocating non-violent creative expression.
PFB makes no claims or guarantees regarding the behavior of individuals in frog costumes or other symbolic attire.
The use of inflatable frog imagery, costumes, or materials does not imply authorization or endorsement by the Portland Frog Brigade.
We stand firmly for peaceful protest, freedom of expression, and the protection of all people from harm.
Anyone acting otherwise does so entirely outside the spirit and purpose of this movement.
