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The revolution isn't televised, but it could have webbed feet and bulging eyes.

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

Whilst rallies opposing the leadership persist in American cities, participants have embraced the vibe of a neighborhood dress-up party. They've offered salsa lessons, distributed treats, and performed on unicycles, as officers look on.

Mixing levity and political action – a strategy researchers call "tactical frivolity" – has historical precedent. However, it has emerged as a signature characteristic of American protest in this period, embraced by various groups.

And one symbol has proven to be particularly salient – the frog. It originated after video footage of a confrontation between an individual in an inflatable frog and federal officers in Portland, Oregon, became an internet sensation. And it has since spread to protests throughout the United States.

"There's a lot going on with that humble frog costume," states a professor, a professor at University of California, Davis and an academic who focuses on performance art.

The Path From the Pepe Meme to the Streets of Portland

It is difficult to talk about protests and frogs without talking about Pepe, an illustrated figure co-opted by far-right groups during a previous presidential campaign.

Initially, when this image first took off on the internet, it was used to signal certain emotions. Subsequently, its use evolved to endorse a political figure, even one notable meme shared by that figure himself, depicting Pepe with a signature suit and hair.

Pepe was also depicted in certain internet forums in offensive ways, portrayed as a hate group member. Users traded "rare Pepes" and established cryptocurrency using its likeness. Its famous line, "that feels good", became a shared phrase.

Yet the character did not originate so controversial.

Matt Furie, artist Matt Furie, has stated about his unhappiness for how the image has been used. The character was intended as simply an apolitical figure in his comic world.

The frog first appeared in a series of comics in 2005 – apolitical and best known for a particular bathroom habit. In 'Feels Good Man', which documents the creator's attempt to wrest back control of his creation, he stated his drawing was inspired by his life with companions.

When he began, the artist experimented with sharing his art to new websites, where the community began to borrow, remix and reinvent the frog. As its popularity grew into the more extreme corners of the internet, Mr Furie sought to reject the frog, even killing him off in a comic strip.

However, its legacy continued.

"It proves that creators cannot own imagery," says the professor. "Their meaning can evolve and be reworked."

Previously, the notoriety of Pepe meant that frogs became a symbol for the right. But that changed recently, when a confrontation between a protestor wearing a blow-up amphibian suit and a federal agent in Portland, Oregon captured global attention.

The moment came just days after a decision to send the National Guard to Portland, which was called "war-ravaged". Protesters began to congregate on a single block, just outside of a federal building.

Tensions were high and a officer sprayed irritant at a protester, directing it into the opening of the costume.

The protester, the man in the costume, quipped, stating he had tasted "spicier tamales". However, the video spread everywhere.

The costume was somewhat typical for Portland, famous for its quirky culture and left-wing protests that embrace the unusual – 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 federal government and Portland, which claimed the use of troops overstepped authority.

While a ruling was issued in October that the administration was within its rights to send personnel, a minority opinion disagreed, mentioning the protesters' "propensity for wearing chicken suits while voicing their disagreement."

"Some might view the court's opinion, which accepts the government's characterization as a war zone, as merely absurd," the dissenting judge wrote. "Yet the outcome goes beyond absurdity."

The deployment was "permanently" blocked subsequently, and personnel withdrew from the area.

Yet already, the amphibian costume had transformed into a potent protest icon for the left.

This symbol was spotted 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.

This item was sold out on major websites, and rose in price.

Mastering the Optics

What brings the two amphibian symbols – lies in the relationship between the silly, innocent image and a deeper political meaning. This concept is "tactical frivolity."

The strategy is based on what the professor calls a "disarming display" – often silly, it's a "appealing and non-threatening" performance that calls attention to a message without needing directly articulating them. It's the unusual prop used, or the symbol circulated.

Mr Bogad is an analyst in the subject and a veteran practitioner. He's written a text on the subject, and taught workshops around the world.

"One can look back to historical periods – under oppressive regimes, absurd humor is used to express dissent a little bit and while maintaining a layer of protection."

The purpose of such tactics is three-fold, he says.

As protesters confront a powerful opposition, humorous attire {takes control of|seizes|influences