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The revolution isn't broadcast, yet it might possess webbed feet and bulging eyes.

Additionally, it could include the horn of a unicorn or the plumage of a chicken.

As protests opposing the administration persist in US cities, demonstrators are utilizing the energy of a neighborhood dress-up party. They have taught dance instruction, given away treats, and performed on unicycles, as officers watch.

Combining comedy and political action – a strategy researchers refer to as "tactical frivolity" – isn't novel. However, it has emerged as a defining feature of protests in the United States in recent years, adopted by various groups.

One particular emblem has risen to become notably significant – the frog. It started after video footage of a confrontation between a man in an amphibian costume and immigration enforcement agents in Portland, Oregon, became an internet sensation. And it has since spread to rallies across the country.

"A great deal happening with that small blow-up amphibian," says LM Bogad, who teaches at University of California, Davis and an academic who studies performance art.

The Path From a Cartoon Frog to Portland

It is difficult to talk about demonstrations and amphibians without addressing Pepe, a web comic frog co-opted by far-right groups during an election cycle.

As this image first took off online, it was used to express certain emotions. Afterwards, its use evolved to express backing for a political figure, even one notable meme endorsed by that figure personally, showing Pepe with recognizable attire and hairstyle.

Images also circulated in digital spaces in offensive ways, as a historical dictator. Online conservatives exchanged "unique frog images" and set up cryptocurrency in his name. His catchphrase, "that feels good", became a shared phrase.

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

Its creator, the illustrator, has expressed about his distaste for its appropriation. Pepe was supposed to be simply a relaxed amphibian in his series.

Pepe debuted in an online comic 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 creation, he stated his drawing came from his experiences with friends and roommates.

When he began, the artist experimented with uploading his work to the nascent social web, where people online began to borrow, remix and reinvent his character. As its popularity grew into darker parts of the internet, Mr Furie attempted to distance himself from his creation, including ending its life in a comic strip.

However, its legacy continued.

"It shows the lack of control over imagery," says the professor. "They transform and be reclaimed."

For a long time, the association of Pepe meant that frogs were largely associated with conservative politics. But that changed in early October, when a viral moment between an activist wearing a blow-up amphibian suit and a federal agent in Portland, Oregon went viral.

The event occurred shortly after a decision 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.

Emotions ran high and a officer used pepper spray at the individual, aiming directly into the air intake fan of the inflatable suit.

The individual, Seth Todd, responded with a joke, saying he had tasted "spicier tamales". However, the video spread everywhere.

The costume was somewhat typical for the city, known for its quirky culture and left-wing protests that revel in the unusual – outdoor exercise, retro fitness classes, and nude cycling groups. Its creed is "Keep Portland Weird."

The costume became part of in the ensuing legal battle between the federal government and the city, which contended the use of troops overstepped authority.

While the court ruled that month that the president had the right to deploy troops, a minority opinion disagreed, noting in her opinion demonstrators' "propensity for donning inflatable costumes while voicing dissent."

"Some might view the majority's ruling, which accepts the description of Portland as a war zone, as simply ridiculous," she opined. "Yet the outcome goes beyond absurdity."

The action was halted by courts just a month later, and troops withdrew from the city.

Yet already, the amphibian costume was now a significant symbol of resistance for progressive movements.

The costume was seen in many cities at anti-authoritarian protests last autumn. Frogs appeared – along with other creatures – in major US cities. They appeared in rural communities and big international cities abroad.

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

Controlling the Visual Story

What connects the two amphibian symbols – is the relationship between the silly, innocent image and a deeper political meaning. Experts call this "tactical frivolity."

The tactic relies on what Mr Bogad terms a "disarming display" – usually humorous, it acts as a "disarming and charming" performance that highlights a message without needing obviously explaining them. This is the silly outfit you wear, or the symbol you share.

The professor is an analyst on this topic and a veteran practitioner. He authored a book called 'Tactical Performance', and taught workshops around the world.

"One can look back to historical periods – when people are dominated, they use absurdity to speak the truth a little bit and while maintaining plausible deniability."

The idea of this approach is multi-faceted, Mr Bogad says.

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