Why I Wrote This Article
The inaugural Million Frog March took place at the Lincoln Memorial on November 15, 2025, bringing together 65 participants who understand that healthy ecosystems and healthy democracies are inseparable. The event succeeded in its core mission: connecting environmental protection with democratic values, educating the public, and building a foundation for a growing movement.
Recently, a couple of podcasters attended the march and subsequently created a video discussing their experience. While I appreciate their attendance and input, they came away with significant misunderstandings about the event’s size, purpose, and message. This page responds to their critiques and provides context about what actually happened, why we organized the march, and where we’re headed.
Misconception #1: “There Weren’t Many Marchers”
Reality: 65 people committed their Saturday afternoon to marching for frogs and democracy.
While the podcaster’s statement that “it felt more like an 8 to 10 Frog March” was likely a joke, I thought the march was very well-attended for a first-time event organized in just 16 days: we had 65 attendees over the course of the two-hour event, with participants traveling from multiple states including Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, New York, and beyond.
Depending on when observers arrived, where they were positioned, or how long they stayed, the crowd may have appeared smaller. Participants occasionally dispersed for photo opportunities and conversations with tourists. We didn’t get a million frog marchers, but we did educate attendees and passersby; we gained new supporters; and we proved that the Million Frog March inspires ordinary citizens to take action – visibly, in public spaces – for two causes of critical importance to us all: the environment and democracy.
Misconception #2: “Most People Were Confused About the Event’s Purpose”
Reality: The vast majority of attendees came knowing exactly what the event was about.
In the weeks leading up to November 15th, SAVE THE FROGS! promoted the Million Frog March to over 10,000 email subscribers with clear, consistent messaging: this was an event connecting amphibian conservation with democratic values. Our promotional materials, event webpage, newsletters and press releases all stated the same mission: healthy ecosystems require healthy democracies.
The two podcasters stated that they expected hundreds of anti-ICE protesters at the Million Frog March. This expectation was not based on anything we communicated. ICE was never mentioned anywhere on our event webpage, in our promotional emails, or in any of our materials. The confusion appears to have originated from assumptions made by not having visited the Million Frog March event webpage before attending.
Most participants arrived informed, engaged, and enthusiastic about the dual focus on frogs and democracy. They came in frog costumes, carried handmade signs connecting environmental and democratic themes, and actively participated in conversations about why both matter.
Million Frog Marchers with the Reflecting Pool and Washington Monument in the background.
Misconception #3: “There Was A Lack Of Pro-Democracy Content”
Reality: Democracy was at the core of the event.
The event began with Dr. Kriger performing the Star-Spangled Banner on bansuri, invoking past campaigns to rid our country of tyranny.
During his speech, Dr. Kriger read aloud a comprehensive list of 25 documented threats to democracy that have emerged since January 20, 2025. View the complete list here.
He also detailed numerous threats to environmental protection, scientific capacity, public lands, and regulatory integrity caused by the current administration. View the environmental threats list here.
Dr. Kerry Kriger’s speech explicitly referenced both the Declaration of Independence and the Gettysburg Address, framing the march as a continuation of America’s tradition of peaceful assembly and civic engagement. The Declaration of Independence was invoked when Dr. Kriger listed the reasons that impelled us to march:
“When in the course of human events, it becomes necessary for citizens to march in defense of frogs, the environment, and democracy itself, a decent respect to Nature and to humankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to this action.”
The speech concluded with language inspired by Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address:
“We here highly resolve that our efforts shall not be in vain – that this nation shall have a new birth of freedom and environmental consciousness – and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, and that the frogs and other amphibians, and the ecosystems upon which all life depends, shall not perish from the earth.”
Attendees carried handmade signs throughout the march with messages like:
- “No Kings, Just Frogs”
- “Hoppy 2 Be Here 4 Democracy”
- “Frogs For Freedom”
- “Divided We Croak, Together We Hop Against Tyranny”
- “Frogs And Humans For Healthy Democracies And Healthy Ecosystems”
- “Frogs Together Strong” (well-known in pro-democracy protests)
- “We’d Rather Croak Than Be Silenced”
That last phrase – “We’d Rather Croak Than Be Silenced” – was the consistent rallying cry throughout our event promotion and the march itself. It has a clear message about the importance of free speech, civic engagement, and democratic participation, echoing the famous words of Patrick Henry.
The location itself – the National Mall – has an inherent relationship to democracy, as it has been the site of other famous protests including:
- The March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom (1963), during which Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his “I Have A Dream” speech;
- Anti-Vietnam War protests (1969);
- The Million Man March (1995);
- The Million Mom March (2000); and
- The Women’s March (2017), which was the largest single-day protest in American history.
Interestingly, the lead podcaster who created the video critiquing the march works for the Brookings Institution, which “has been at the forefront of public policy for more than a century”. Before the event, I personally reached out to the Brookings Institution to request that Norm Eisen (one of the organization’s most prominent democracy experts) join us as a guest speaker. We never received a reply. So it is worth noting that while this podcaster criticized the lack of pro-democracy representation at the march, his own organization declined to participate when invited. Of course we still welcome the Brookings Institution to take part in and promote the next Million Frog March!
Speaking of which, please mark your calendar for the next Million Frog March (scheduled for Saturday April 25th, 2026, 1-3pm at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, DC).
SAVE THE FROGS! Founder Dr. Kerry Kriger during the march from the Lincoln Memorial to the Washington Monument.
Misconception #4: “Environmental Issues Like Frogs Are Low Priority Given Threats to Democracy”
Reality: This perspective proves exactly why we held this march.
When democracy declines, people deprioritize environmental protection; and as democratic institutions weaken, environmental protections disappear. We’re watching it happen in real time. And as environments collapse, human freedoms and self-determination erode. You cannot separate these issues. They rise and fall together.
We can only protest, organize, and advocate for change when we live in places and times with healthy ecosystems – not in the presence or aftermath of climate-driven natural disasters like floods, hurricanes, wildfires, or droughts.
Frogs are indicator species. When frog populations collapse, it signals broader ecosystem failure that will eventually affect human communities. Dismissing frogs as “low priority” misses the fundamental interconnection between environmental health and human well-being – including the stability of democratic institutions.
The Million Frog March exists precisely to connect these dots for people who might otherwise miss the relationship. Many participants who previously focused solely on amphibian conservation are now vocal democracy advocates as a direct result of attending this event. We successfully expanded the pro-democracy coalition by showing how environmental stewardship and civic engagement are inseparable.
Graphic by SAVE THE FROGS! Graphic Design Volunteer Brenda Cardenas, who attended the Million Frog March Volunteer Meetups on Zoom prior to the event.
Context: This Was the First of Its Kind – First Events Are Smaller, But They Grow
Some observers compared the turnout unfavorably to other protests with hundreds or thousands of participants. But those large protests didn’t start that way.
The very first anti-ICE protest had an estimated 20 to 40 participants. The Million Frog March, with 65 attendees, was actually double the size of the first anti-ICE event. It’s the repetitive nature of protests that leads to the high turnout many people take for granted today.
The Million Frog March was the first of its kind – blending environmental protection with democracy protection in a focused, strategic way. We organized it in just 16 days from concept to execution. Despite the short timeline, we successfully:
- Drew 65 committed participants (including some who had never previously attended a protest, march or demonstration)
- Educated hundreds of tourists on the National Mall
- Generated media coverage (Dr. Kriger was interviewed by the BBC as well as student journalists from American University and Hofstra University)
- Inspired satellite events in Pakistan
- Built a volunteer network to assist with promote future marches
- Created a comprehensive online presence with photos, videos, and stories
The Million Frog March movement began with one person – Dr. Kerry Kriger – and grew to 65 participants in just 16 days, representing a doubling rate of approximately every 2.66 days. If this exponential growth rate were to continue unchecked, the movement would reach one million marchers by approximately December 22, 2025, and would theoretically yield 1.14×10 to the 20th participants by April 25, 2026 – a number so large it exceeds the Earth’s population many times over.
Of course, while we don’t expect to literally fill the solar system with frog enthusiasts, this remarkable initial growth rate demonstrates significant momentum and enthusiasm for connecting environmental protection with democratic values!
Patriotic art from the SAVE THE FROGS! Art Contest by Savannah Moore.
The Potential for Partnership: Engaging Major Environmental Organizations
Imagine if large DC-based environmental organizations such as Defenders of Wildlife, World Wildlife Fund, Natural Resources Defense Council, Sierra Club, and National Geographic Society partnered with SAVE THE FROGS! for the next Million Frog March and promoted the event to their millions of followers. Turnout would be significantly higher, and we would be introducing countless people currently outside of the pro-democracy movement to these critical issues.
Furthermore, we can be fairly certain that the organizations mentioned above will never promote or encourage their supporters to attend an anti-ICE protest – such events are too dangerous, or at a minimum they are not places where families with children should be, and they are too controversial for such organizations to promote. The Million Frog March offers something different: a family-friendly, peaceful, and educational gathering that connects environmental stewardship with civic engagement in a way that’s accessible to everyone – from children to seniors, from casual nature enthusiasts to dedicated activists.
This is the unique value proposition of the Million Frog March: it creates a safe, welcoming space where environmental advocates can engage with democracy issues without the controversy, volatility, or safety concerns associated with other forms of protest. It’s exactly the kind of event that major environmental organizations could – and should – endorse.
One Million Frog Marcher held a sign reading “My Ponds Are Drying Up” – highlighting the urgency of climate change and its direct impact on amphibian habitats. Given the widespread interest in preventing climate change and global warming, this provides yet another way to activate members of society and grow this movement.
Photo by volunteer Arlo Lachenmeyer, who brought a team of student filmmakers from Hofstra University in New York to film the event and create a documentary.
What We Accomplished
The inaugural Million Frog March succeeded in its core objectives:
1. We Connected Environmental Protection with Democratic Values
Participants and curious tourists learned that you can’t have healthy ecosystems without healthy democracies. This message resonated deeply with attendees, many of whom are now engaged in both movements.
2. We Educated the Public
Hundreds of tourists stopped to ask questions, read signs, and learn about amphibian conservation. We distributed educational materials and had meaningful conversations with people who had never considered the connection between frogs and democracy before.
3. We Built A Foundation
We now have hundreds of photos, videos, testimonials, and a comprehensive event webpage that will inspire and recruit participants for future marches. The attendees are already volunteering to help organize and promote the next event.
4. We Proved The Concept Works
The Million Frog March resonated globally from day one. Satellite events took place in Pakistan, and the BBC interviewed Dr. Kriger about the march, demonstrating international media interest. The connection between environmental protection and democratic values transcends borders.
5. We Created Momentum
The vast majority of attendees had a wonderful, meaningful experience and are committed to returning for the next march – and bringing friends.
Why I’m Committed to This Movement
When I decided to go through with my thought to organize the Million Frog March, I said that even if nobody else shows up, I will be there to march. I thank all the frog enthusiasts and democracy activists who joined me, and I am looking forward to the next Million Frog March, which we’ve already begun planning.
Looking Ahead: April 25, 2026
We’re already planning the next Million Frog March (scheduled for April 25, 2026 in Washington, DC). With the foundation we’ve built, the volunteer network we’ve activated, and the documented success of the inaugural event, we expect significantly larger turnout.
We’re also working with organizers in other cities to host satellite events, expanding the movement’s reach and impact.
If you care about democracy, environmental protection, or both – we invite you to join us!
Please mark your calendar and spread the word!
Learn More
- Million Frog March Homepage – All about the march and how to get involved
- Washington DC Event Report (November 15, 2025) – Photos, stories, and full recap of the inaugural Million Frog March
Join the Movement
Whether you’re a frog enthusiast, environmental advocate, democracy defender, or simply someone who cares about the future of our planet, the Million Frog March welcomes you.
Together, we will not be silenced – and neither will the frogs.
