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The revolution isn't televised, yet it might possess amphibious toes and bulging eyes.

Furthermore, it may involve a unicorn's horn or the plumage of a chicken.

While protests opposing the government carry on in American cities, participants are adopting the energy of a local block party. They've offered salsa lessons, given away snacks, and performed on unicycles, while police look on.

Combining comedy and politics – a strategy social scientists term "tactical frivolity" – isn't novel. But it has become a signature characteristic of US demonstrations in recent years, embraced by various groups.

And one symbol has emerged as notably significant – the frog. It originated after recordings of a confrontation between a protester in an inflatable frog and federal officers in Portland, Oregon, went viral. And it has since spread to rallies nationwide.

"There's a lot happening with that little blow-up amphibian," says a professor, a professor at University of California, Davis and a Guggenheim Fellow who focuses on political performance.

The Path From Pepe to the Streets of Portland

It's challenging to examine protests and frogs without talking about Pepe, a web comic frog embraced by extremist movements during a previous presidential campaign.

Initially, when the meme initially spread online, its purpose was to convey certain emotions. Afterwards, its use evolved to express backing for a political figure, even a particular image retweeted by the candidate personally, portraying Pepe with a signature suit and hair.

Pepe was also depicted in right-wing online communities in more extreme scenarios, as a hate group member. Participants exchanged "unique frog images" and set up cryptocurrency in his name. Its famous line, "feels good, man", became a coded signal.

However its beginnings were not so controversial.

Matt Furie, artist Matt Furie, has stated about his disapproval for how the image has been used. The character was intended as simply a relaxed amphibian in this artist's universe.

Pepe debuted in comic strips in the mid-2000s – non-political and notable for a quirky behavior. In 'Feels Good Man', which chronicles Mr Furie's efforts to wrest back control of his work, he said his drawing was inspired by his life with companions.

As he started out, the artist tried uploading his work to new websites, where other users began to copy, alter, and reinterpret his character. As Pepe spread into fringe areas of the internet, the creator sought to reject the frog, even killing him off in a comic strip.

However, its legacy continued.

"It proves that creators cannot own imagery," says the professor. "They can change and shift and be reworked."

For a long time, the popularity of Pepe meant that frogs were predominantly linked to the right. This shifted in early October, when a confrontation between a protestor wearing a blow-up amphibian suit and a federal agent in Portland, Oregon captured global attention.

The event came just days after a decision to send the National Guard to Portland, which was described as "a warzone". Activists began to assemble in large numbers outside a facility, just outside of an ICE office.

Tensions were high and an agent deployed irritant at the individual, directing it into the opening of the inflatable suit.

The protester, Seth Todd, quipped, stating it tasted like "something milder". Yet the footage went viral.

The costume was not too unusual for the city, renowned for its eccentric vibe and left-wing protests that delight in the absurd – outdoor exercise, 80s-style aerobics lessons, and nude cycling groups. The city's unofficial motto is "Embrace the Strange."

This symbol even played a role in a lawsuit between the federal government and the city, which argued the deployment was unlawful.

Although a judge decided that month that the administration had the right to send personnel, one judge dissented, referencing in her ruling the protesters' "propensity for wearing chicken suits when expressing their disagreement."

"Some might view this decision, which accepts the government's characterization as a battlefield, as simply ridiculous," the dissenting judge wrote. "But today's decision has serious implications."

The deployment was stopped legally soon after, and troops withdrew from the area.

But by then, the amphibian costume had become a potent symbol of resistance for progressive movements.

The inflatable suit was spotted across the country at anti-authoritarian protests recently. Amphibian costumes were present – along with other creatures – in San Diego and Atlanta and Boston. They appeared in small towns and big international cities like Tokyo and London.

The inflatable suit was backordered on online retailers, and saw its cost increase.

Shaping the Optics

What brings both frogs together – lies in the relationship between the humorous, benign cartoon and serious intent. This concept is "tactical frivolity."

The strategy relies on what Mr Bogad calls the "irresistible image" – often silly, it's a "appealing and non-threatening" performance that draws focus to a message without needing directly articulating them. This is the goofy costume you wear, or the symbol you share.

The professor is both an expert on this topic and an experienced participant. He authored a book on the subject, and taught workshops internationally.

"One can look back to the Middle Ages – when people are dominated, absurd humor is used to speak the truth indirectly and still have a layer of protection."

The theory of such tactics is multi-faceted, Mr Bogad says.

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