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The protest movement isn't televised, yet it might possess webbed feet and large eyes.

Additionally, it could include the horn of a unicorn or a chicken's feathers.

As demonstrations against the administration carry on in American cities, protesters have embraced the vibe of a local block party. They have taught salsa lessons, handed out treats, and performed on unicycles, as officers watch.

Blending levity and politics – a strategy social scientists term "tactical frivolity" – has historical precedent. Yet it has transformed into a hallmark of protests in the United States in this period, adopted by all sides of the political spectrum.

A specific icon has emerged as especially powerful – the frog. It originated when a video of an encounter between a man in a frog suit and ICE agents in the city of Portland, spread online. It subsequently appeared to protests across the country.

"A great deal going on with that small blow-up amphibian," notes a professor, a professor at UC Davis and a Guggenheim Fellow who studies political performance.

From a Cartoon Frog to Portland

It is difficult to talk about protests and frogs without talking about Pepe, an illustrated figure co-opted by far-right groups during a previous presidential campaign.

As this image initially spread on the internet, its purpose was to express specific feelings. Subsequently, it was deployed to endorse a candidate, including one notable meme retweeted by the candidate himself, depicting the frog with recognizable attire and hairstyle.

Pepe was also depicted in certain internet forums in darker contexts, portrayed as a historical dictator. Users traded "rare Pepes" and set up cryptocurrency in his name. Its famous line, "feels good, man", was used an inside joke.

But its beginnings were not so controversial.

Matt Furie, the illustrator, has been vocal about his disapproval for its appropriation. His creation was meant as simply a relaxed amphibian in his series.

The frog first appeared in an online comic in the mid-2000s – apolitical and famous for a quirky behavior. A film, which chronicles the creator's attempt to wrest back control of his work, he said the character was inspired by his life with friends and roommates.

Early in his career, the artist experimented with uploading his work to early internet platforms, where the community began to borrow, remix and reinvent his character. As Pepe spread into darker parts of online spaces, Mr Furie sought to reject his creation, even killing him off in a comic strip.

But Pepe lived on.

"It shows that we don't control imagery," says the professor. "Their meaning can evolve and be reworked."

Previously, the notoriety of Pepe resulted in amphibian imagery were predominantly linked to conservative politics. But that changed in early October, when a viral moment between an activist dressed in an inflatable frog costume and a federal agent in Portland captured global attention.

This incident occurred shortly after a decision to deploy the National Guard to the city, which was called "war-ravaged". Activists began to congregate at a specific location, near a federal building.

The situation was tense and an agent sprayed a chemical agent at a protester, aiming directly into the ventilation of the inflatable suit.

The individual, Seth Todd, reacted humorously, stating he had tasted "spicier tamales". Yet the footage became a sensation.

The costume was somewhat typical for Portland, famous for its eccentric vibe and activist demonstrations that revel in the absurd – outdoor exercise, retro fitness classes, and unique parades. Its creed is "Keep Portland Weird."

This symbol even played a role in subsequent court proceedings between the administration and the city, which claimed the use of troops overstepped authority.

While a ruling was issued that month that the president had the right to send personnel, a dissenting judge wrote, mentioning demonstrators' "propensity for wearing chicken suits when expressing opposition."

"It is easy to see the court's opinion, which accepts the government's characterization as a battlefield, as simply ridiculous," Judge Susan Graber stated. "However, this ruling goes beyond absurdity."

The order was halted by courts soon after, and troops have reportedly departed the area.

Yet already, the frog was now a powerful protest icon for the left.

The costume appeared in many cities at anti-authoritarian protests recently. Amphibian costumes were present – along with other creatures – in major US cities. They were in small towns and global metropolises abroad.

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

Mastering the Narrative

What connects both frogs together – is the dynamic between the humorous, benign cartoon and a deeper political meaning. This concept is "tactical frivolity."

This approach relies on what the professor calls the "irresistible image" – usually humorous, it acts as a "disarming and charming" act that calls attention to a cause without explicitly stating them. It's the silly outfit used, or the meme you share.

Mr Bogad is both an expert on this topic and a veteran practitioner. He authored a text on the subject, and led seminars around the world.

"One can look back to the Middle Ages – when people are dominated, they use absurdity to express dissent a little bit and while maintaining a layer of protection."

The theory of such tactics is three-fold, Mr Bogad says.

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