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This protest movement won't be broadcast, though it may feature webbed feet and large eyes.

It also might feature the horn of a unicorn or the plumage of a chicken.

As protests opposing the administration carry on in US cities, demonstrators have embraced the vibe of a local block party. They've offered dance instruction, handed out snacks, and performed on unicycles, as officers observe.

Blending comedy and politics – an approach social scientists call "tactical frivolity" – has historical precedent. However, it has emerged as a defining feature of protests in the United States in the current era, adopted by all sides of the political spectrum.

And one symbol has emerged as notably significant – the frog. It started when recordings of an encounter between a man in an amphibian costume and immigration enforcement agents in Portland, Oregon, spread online. It subsequently appeared to rallies across the country.

"A great deal going on with that humble frog costume," states an expert, who teaches at UC Davis and an academic who specialises in creative activism.

The Path From Pepe to Portland

It's challenging to examine demonstrations and amphibians without mentioning Pepe, a web comic frog adopted by far-right groups during a political race.

When the meme gained popularity online, its purpose was to convey specific feelings. Afterwards, it was utilized to express backing for a political figure, even one notable meme retweeted by that figure himself, depicting the frog with a signature suit and hair.

The frog was also portrayed in certain internet forums in offensive ways, as a hate group member. Online conservatives traded "rare Pepes" and established cryptocurrency in his name. Its famous line, "feels good, man", became an inside joke.

However the character did not originate as a political symbol.

Its creator, the illustrator, has expressed about his distaste for how the image has been used. Pepe was supposed to be simply an apolitical figure in his comic world.

Pepe first appeared in a series of comics in 2005 – apolitical and famous for a quirky behavior. In a documentary, which follows the creator's attempt to reclaim ownership of his creation, he explained his drawing came from his life with friends and roommates.

Early in his career, Mr Furie tried uploading his work to early internet platforms, where the community began to borrow, remix and reinvent his character. As Pepe spread into fringe areas of the internet, Mr Furie sought to reject his creation, even killing him off in a final panel.

However, its legacy continued.

"This demonstrates that we don't control symbols," states the professor. "They can change and shift and be reworked."

Until recently, the popularity of Pepe meant that frogs were predominantly linked to conservative politics. But that changed recently, when a viral moment between a protestor wearing an inflatable frog costume and a federal agent in Portland captured global attention.

The moment occurred shortly after a directive to deploy military personnel to the city, which was described as "a warzone". Activists began to gather in droves at a specific location, near a federal building.

Emotions ran high and an agent used pepper spray at a protester, targeting the ventilation of the costume.

The protester, the man in the costume, responded with a joke, stating it tasted like "something milder". However, the video went viral.

Mr Todd's attire was somewhat typical for Portland, famous for its quirky culture and activist demonstrations that embrace the ridiculous – public yoga, 80s-style aerobics lessons, and unique parades. Its creed is "Embrace the Strange."

The frog even played a role in subsequent court proceedings between the federal government and Portland, which contended the use of troops overstepped authority.

While a ruling was issued that month that the administration had the right to deploy troops, a dissenting judge wrote, noting in her opinion the protesters' "propensity for wearing chicken suits when expressing dissent."

"Some might view the majority's ruling, which adopts the government's characterization as a battlefield, as merely absurd," Judge Susan Graber opined. "However, this ruling is not merely absurd."

The deployment was halted by courts just a month later, and troops have reportedly departed the city.

However, by that time, the frog had transformed into a significant protest icon for progressive movements.

This symbol was spotted nationwide at anti-authoritarian protests recently. Amphibian costumes were present – and unicorns and axolotls and dinosaurs – in San Diego and Atlanta and Boston. They were in small towns and global metropolises like Tokyo and London.

The inflatable suit was backordered on major websites, and became more expensive.

Mastering the Visual Story

The link between both frogs together – lies in the relationship between the humorous, benign cartoon and a deeper political meaning. This concept is "tactical frivolity."

This approach relies on what Mr Bogad terms the "irresistible image" – usually humorous, it's a "disarming and charming" display that draws focus to a cause without directly articulating them. It's the unusual prop you wear, or the meme circulated.

Mr Bogad is an analyst in the subject and a veteran practitioner. He's written a text called 'Tactical Performance', and taught workshops internationally.

"One can look back to historical periods – under oppressive regimes, they use absurdity to express dissent a little bit and while maintaining plausible deniability."

The idea of this approach is multi-faceted, he explains.

As activists take on the state, a silly costume {takes control of|seizes|influences