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The protest movement may not be broadcast, yet it might possess webbed feet and bulging eyes.

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

As protests against the administration persist in US cities, protesters are adopting the vibe of a local block party. They've offered dance instruction, handed out treats, and ridden unicycles, as police watch.

Blending humour and political action – a strategy experts refer to as "tactical frivolity" – has historical precedent. But it has become a hallmark of American protest in the current era, adopted by both left and right.

A specific icon has risen to become especially powerful – the frog. It started after recordings of a clash between a protester in an amphibian costume and federal officers in the city of Portland, went viral. And it has since spread to demonstrations nationwide.

"There is much going on with that little blow-up amphibian," says an expert, a professor at UC Davis and an academic who studies creative activism.

The Path From Pepe to Portland

It's challenging to examine protests and frogs without talking about Pepe, a cartoon character adopted by far-right groups throughout a political race.

As the character initially spread on the internet, it was used to express specific feelings. Subsequently, its use evolved to express backing for a political figure, even one notable meme endorsed by that figure personally, depicting Pepe with recognizable attire and hairstyle.

The frog was also portrayed in right-wing online communities in more extreme scenarios, portrayed as a hate group member. Users traded "rare Pepes" and established digital currency in his name. His catchphrase, "feels good, man", became a shared phrase.

Yet Pepe didn't start out as a political symbol.

Matt Furie, the illustrator, has stated about his distaste for its appropriation. The character was intended as simply a "chill frog-dude" in his comic world.

The frog first appeared in comic strips in the mid-2000s – apolitical and best known for a particular bathroom habit. A film, which follows the creator's attempt to take back of his creation, he explained the character came from his experiences 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. When the meme proliferated into darker parts of the internet, the creator tried to disavow his creation, including ending its life in a comic strip.

Yet the frog persisted.

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

Previously, the notoriety of Pepe meant that amphibian imagery were predominantly linked to conservative politics. This shifted on a day in October, when a viral moment between a protestor wearing an inflatable frog costume and an immigration officer in Portland went viral.

This incident followed a decision to deploy military personnel to Portland, which was called "a warzone". Demonstrators began to assemble in large numbers on a single block, just outside of a federal building.

Tensions were high and a officer used a chemical agent at a protester, directing it into the air intake fan of the puffy frog costume.

Seth Todd, the man in the costume, responded with a joke, remarking it tasted like "something milder". Yet the footage became a sensation.

The costume was somewhat typical for the city, renowned for its eccentric vibe and activist demonstrations that embrace the absurd – public yoga, retro fitness classes, and unique parades. 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 use of troops was illegal.

While the court ruled that month that the administration had the right to send personnel, a minority opinion disagreed, mentioning demonstrators' "well-known penchant for using unusual attire while voicing dissent."

"It is easy to see this decision, which accepts the description of Portland as a battlefield, as simply ridiculous," Judge Susan Graber opined. "Yet the outcome has serious implications."

The action was halted by courts subsequently, and personnel are said to have left the city.

Yet already, the amphibian costume had become a significant symbol of resistance for progressive movements.

The inflatable suit was seen nationwide at No Kings protests recently. Frogs appeared – along with other creatures – in San Diego and Atlanta and Boston. They appeared in rural communities and big international cities abroad.

The inflatable suit was sold out on online retailers, and rose in price.

Mastering the Optics

The link between Pepe and the protest frog – is the dynamic between the humorous, benign cartoon and a deeper political meaning. Experts call this "tactical frivolity."

This approach rests on what Mr Bogad calls the "irresistible image" – often silly, it acts as a "disarming and charming" display that calls attention to a message without obviously explaining them. It's the goofy costume used, or the symbol you share.

Mr Bogad is an analyst in the subject and someone who uses these tactics. He authored a book on the subject, and led seminars around the world.

"You could go back to the Middle Ages – under oppressive regimes, they use absurdity to express dissent indirectly and still have a layer of protection."

The idea of this approach is three-fold, Mr Bogad explains.

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