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This protest movement may not be televised, though it may feature amphibious toes and protruding eyes.

It also might feature a unicorn's horn or a chicken's feathers.

Whilst protests against the government continue in American cities, demonstrators are utilizing the energy of a community costume parade. They have taught salsa lessons, given away treats, and performed on unicycles, while armed law enforcement watch.

Combining humour and political action – a tactic researchers refer to as "tactical frivolity" – is not new. But it has become a hallmark of protests in the United States in this period, used by all sides of the political spectrum.

And one symbol has risen to become particularly salient – the frog. It began after recordings of an encounter between a man in an inflatable frog and ICE agents in Portland, Oregon, went viral. And it has since spread to rallies nationwide.

"There is much going on with that humble inflatable frog," says a professor, a professor at University of California, Davis and a Guggenheim Fellow who focuses on political performance.

The Path From a Cartoon Frog to the Streets of Portland

It's hard to examine demonstrations and amphibians without talking about Pepe, an illustrated figure co-opted by far-right groups throughout an election cycle.

As this image gained popularity online, it was used to convey certain emotions. Afterwards, it was utilized to express backing for a political figure, even a particular image shared by the candidate himself, showing the frog with recognizable attire and hairstyle.

The frog was also portrayed in right-wing online communities in offensive ways, as a historical dictator. Online conservatives exchanged "unique frog images" and established digital currency using its likeness. His catchphrase, "that feels good", was deployed a coded signal.

But Pepe didn't start out so controversial.

Its creator, the illustrator, has expressed about his distaste for its co-option. His creation was meant as simply a relaxed amphibian in this artist's universe.

The frog first appeared in a series of comics in 2005 – apolitical and best known for a quirky behavior. In 'Feels Good Man', which documents Mr Furie's efforts to wrest back control of his work, he stated his drawing came from his time with friends and roommates.

Early in his career, the artist experimented with sharing his art to new websites, where other users began to borrow, remix and reinvent the frog. When the meme proliferated into fringe areas of the internet, the creator tried to disavow the frog, including ending its life in a comic strip.

Yet the frog persisted.

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

For a long time, the association of this meme resulted in amphibian imagery became a symbol for conservative politics. But that changed in early October, when an incident between a protestor dressed in an inflatable frog costume and a federal agent in Portland, Oregon captured global attention.

The event occurred shortly after a decision to deploy military personnel to the city, which was called "war-ravaged". Protesters began to gather in droves outside a facility, near a federal building.

Emotions ran high and a officer sprayed irritant at the individual, directing it into the ventilation of the puffy frog costume.

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

The frog suit was not too unusual for the city, known for its eccentric vibe and left-wing protests that delight in the absurd – public yoga, retro fitness classes, and unique parades. A local saying is "Keep Portland Weird."

The frog became part of in subsequent court proceedings between the administration and Portland, which contended the use of troops overstepped authority.

While a judge decided in October that the president had the right to deploy troops, a minority opinion disagreed, referencing in her ruling the protesters' "well-known penchant for using unusual attire when expressing dissent."

"Observers may be tempted the court's opinion, which adopts the description of Portland as a war zone, as simply ridiculous," Judge Susan Graber wrote. "However, this ruling has serious implications."

The deployment was halted by courts soon after, and troops withdrew from the area.

However, by that time, the frog had transformed into a significant anti-administration symbol for progressive movements.

The inflatable suit appeared nationwide at No Kings protests recently. Amphibian costumes were present – along with other creatures – in major US cities. They were in rural communities and big international cities abroad.

The inflatable suit was in high demand on online retailers, and became more expensive.

Controlling the Optics

What connects the two amphibian symbols – is the relationship between the silly, innocent image and underlying political significance. This is what "tactical frivolity."

The strategy relies on what the professor terms the "irresistible image" – usually humorous, it acts as a "appealing and non-threatening" act that draws focus to a message without directly articulating them. It's the goofy costume you wear, or the symbol you share.

The professor is both an expert in the subject and someone who uses these tactics. He's written a text on the subject, and led seminars around the world.

"One can look back to the Middle Ages – under oppressive regimes, absurd humor is used to express dissent a little bit and still have a layer of protection."

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

When protesters take on the state, a silly costume {takes control of|seizes|influences