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The protest movement may not be broadcast, yet it might possess amphibious toes and protruding eyes.

Furthermore, it may involve a unicorn's horn or a chicken's feathers.

Whilst protests against the government persist in US cities, participants are utilizing the energy of a neighborhood dress-up party. They've provided salsa lessons, handed out treats, and ridden unicycles, while armed law enforcement watch.

Mixing comedy and political action – a tactic researchers refer to as "tactical frivolity" – has historical precedent. But it has become a signature characteristic of US demonstrations in recent years, adopted by all sides of the political spectrum.

And one symbol has risen to become especially powerful – the frog. It originated after a video of a clash between a protester in a frog suit and ICE agents in the city of Portland, spread online. It subsequently appeared to protests across the country.

"There's a lot at play with that humble inflatable frog," says LM Bogad, a professor at UC Davis and an academic who studies political performance.

From a Cartoon Frog to Portland

It's challenging to talk about protests and frogs without addressing Pepe, a web comic frog embraced by far-right groups throughout an election cycle.

Initially, when this image gained popularity online, it was used to convey certain emotions. Subsequently, it was deployed to express backing for a candidate, including one notable meme shared by the candidate personally, portraying Pepe with recognizable attire and hairstyle.

The frog was also portrayed in digital spaces in darker contexts, portrayed as a hate group member. Online conservatives traded "unique frog images" and set up digital currency using its likeness. His catchphrase, "feels good, man", became an inside joke.

But Pepe didn't start out this divisive.

Its creator, artist Matt Furie, has expressed about his distaste for how the image has been used. His creation was meant as simply a relaxed amphibian in his comic world.

Pepe first appeared in a series of comics in the mid-2000s – apolitical and notable for a particular bathroom habit. In 'Feels Good Man', which follows Mr Furie's efforts to reclaim ownership of his work, he stated the character came from his time with companions.

When he began, the artist tried sharing his art to new websites, where people online began to borrow, remix and reinvent his character. As its popularity grew into the more extreme corners of online spaces, the creator sought to reject the frog, even killing him off in a comic strip.

Yet the frog persisted.

"It shows the lack of control over imagery," states Prof Bogad. "They transform and be repurposed."

Previously, the popularity of this meme meant that amphibian imagery became a symbol for conservative politics. A transformation occurred on a day in October, when a confrontation between a protestor wearing an inflatable frog costume and an immigration officer in Portland went viral.

The event came just days after a directive to deploy the National Guard to the city, which was called "war-ravaged". Protesters began to assemble in large numbers on a single block, just outside of an immigration enforcement facility.

The situation was tense and a officer sprayed pepper spray at the individual, targeting the ventilation of the puffy frog costume.

The individual, the man in the costume, responded with a joke, remarking it tasted like "something milder". But the incident became a sensation.

Mr Todd's attire fit right in for the city, famous for its quirky culture and left-wing protests that delight in the ridiculous – outdoor exercise, 80s-style aerobics lessons, and unique parades. A local saying is "Keep Portland Weird."

This symbol was also referenced in a lawsuit between the administration and the city, which argued the use of troops overstepped authority.

Although the court ruled that month that the president was within its rights to deploy troops, a minority opinion disagreed, noting in her opinion the protesters' "propensity for donning inflatable costumes when expressing opposition."

"It is easy to see the court's opinion, which adopts the government's characterization as a battlefield, as simply ridiculous," the dissenting judge stated. "However, this ruling has serious implications."

The order was "permanently" blocked soon after, and troops withdrew from the city.

But by then, the amphibian costume had become a powerful protest icon for the left.

This symbol was seen nationwide at No Kings protests that fall. There were frogs – along with other creatures – in San Diego and Atlanta and Boston. They appeared in rural communities and big international cities like Tokyo and London.

The frog costume was in high demand on online retailers, and became more expensive.

Shaping the Visual Story

What connects the two amphibian symbols – lies in the relationship between the silly, innocent image and serious intent. Experts call this "tactical frivolity."

The tactic relies on what Mr Bogad terms the "irresistible image" – often silly, it's a "appealing and non-threatening" display that highlights a cause without needing directly articulating them. It's the unusual prop used, or the meme you share.

The professor is an analyst in the subject and an experienced participant. He's written a text called 'Tactical Performance', and taught workshops around the world.

"You could go back to historical periods – under oppressive regimes, they use absurdity to express dissent indirectly and while maintaining plausible deniability."

The purpose of such tactics is multi-faceted, Mr Bogad explains.

When protesters confront a powerful opposition, a silly costume {takes control of|seizes|influences