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

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

Whilst rallies against the government persist in American cities, demonstrators have embraced the energy of a neighborhood dress-up party. They have taught dance instruction, distributed treats, and performed on unicycles, as armed law enforcement look on.

Combining humour and political action – a tactic social scientists term "tactical frivolity" – isn't novel. However, it has emerged as a signature characteristic of protests in the United States in recent years, embraced by all sides of the political spectrum.

One particular emblem has proven to be notably significant – the frog. It originated when recordings of a confrontation between a protester in a frog suit and immigration enforcement agents in the city of Portland, spread online. And it has since spread to demonstrations nationwide.

"There is much going on with that small blow-up amphibian," notes a professor, who teaches at University of California, Davis and an academic who studies performance art.

The Path From a Cartoon Frog to the Streets of Portland

It's hard to examine demonstrations and amphibians without addressing Pepe, a web comic frog adopted by far-right groups throughout an election cycle.

As this image gained popularity on the internet, people used it to convey certain emotions. Subsequently, it was utilized to endorse a political figure, including a particular image retweeted by that figure personally, portraying Pepe with a signature suit and hair.

The frog was also portrayed in digital spaces in offensive ways, portrayed as a historical dictator. Participants exchanged "rare Pepes" and established cryptocurrency in his name. His catchphrase, "feels good, man", became a coded signal.

But Pepe didn't start out so controversial.

The artist behind it, artist Matt Furie, has been vocal about his disapproval for how the image has been used. Pepe was supposed to be simply an apolitical figure in his series.

Pepe first appeared in an online comic in the mid-2000s – apolitical and best known for a particular bathroom habit. A film, which documents the creator's attempt to reclaim ownership of his creation, he stated the character was inspired by his life with friends and roommates.

When he began, Mr Furie experimented with sharing his art 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 his creation, even killing him off in a final panel.

But Pepe lived on.

"It proves the lack of control over symbols," says the professor. "They can change and shift and be reworked."

Previously, the association of Pepe resulted in frogs were largely associated with the right. This shifted in early October, when a viral moment between an activist dressed in a blow-up amphibian suit and an immigration officer in Portland, Oregon spread rapidly online.

The event came just days after a decision to deploy the National Guard to the city, which was described as "war-ravaged". Activists began to congregate outside a facility, near an ICE office.

Tensions were high and an agent deployed irritant at the individual, aiming directly into the ventilation of the inflatable suit.

Seth Todd, the man in the costume, reacted humorously, remarking he had tasted "spicier tamales". But the incident spread everywhere.

Mr Todd's attire was not too unusual for Portland, renowned for its quirky culture and left-wing protests that embrace the ridiculous – outdoor exercise, 80s-style aerobics lessons, and unique parades. The city's unofficial motto is "Embrace the Strange."

This symbol became part of in a lawsuit between the federal government and the city, which claimed the use of troops was illegal.

While a judge decided that month that the administration had the right to send personnel, a minority opinion disagreed, mentioning demonstrators' "propensity for using unusual attire when expressing opposition."

"It is easy to see this decision, which adopts the description of Portland as a battlefield, as merely absurd," Judge Susan Graber opined. "However, this ruling is not merely absurd."

The order was halted by courts soon after, and personnel have reportedly departed the city.

Yet already, the amphibian costume had transformed into a potent anti-administration symbol for progressive movements.

This symbol was seen nationwide at No Kings protests last autumn. Frogs appeared – along with other creatures – in San Diego and Atlanta and Boston. They were in small towns and global metropolises like Tokyo and London.

This item was sold out on major websites, and saw its cost increase.

Controlling the Narrative

What connects the two amphibian symbols – lies in the dynamic between the humorous, benign cartoon and serious intent. Experts call this "tactical frivolity."

The strategy rests on what Mr Bogad terms a "disarming display" – often silly, it's a "disarming and charming" act that calls attention to a cause without needing explicitly stating them. It's the goofy costume you wear, or the symbol circulated.

The professor is both an expert in the subject and an experienced participant. He authored a book on the subject, and led seminars internationally.

"One can look back to historical periods – when people are dominated, absurd humor is used to speak the truth indirectly and while maintaining a layer of protection."

The purpose of this approach is multi-faceted, Mr Bogad explains.

As protesters confront authority, a silly costume {takes control of|seizes|influences