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This protest movement isn't broadcast, yet it might possess webbed feet and bulging eyes.

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

Whilst rallies against the leadership persist in US cities, participants are adopting the vibe of a local block party. They've offered salsa lessons, handed out treats, and performed on unicycles, as officers look on.

Combining comedy and political action – a strategy social scientists refer to as "tactical frivolity" – is not new. Yet it has transformed into a signature characteristic of US demonstrations in this period, adopted by all sides of the political spectrum.

And one symbol has risen to become notably significant – the frog. It started when recordings of a clash between an individual in an amphibian costume and federal officers in the city of Portland, went viral. From there, it proliferated to demonstrations throughout the United States.

"A great deal at play with that little blow-up amphibian," notes LM Bogad, who teaches at UC Davis and a Guggenheim Fellow who studies creative activism.

The Path From Pepe to the Streets of Portland

It's hard to examine demonstrations and amphibians without mentioning Pepe, an illustrated figure co-opted by online communities during an election cycle.

As the character initially spread online, it was used to convey specific feelings. Subsequently, its use evolved to express backing for a candidate, including a particular image endorsed by the candidate personally, depicting Pepe with a signature suit and hair.

Pepe was also depicted in digital spaces in offensive ways, portrayed as a hate group member. Users traded "unique frog images" and established digital currency using its likeness. His catchphrase, "that feels good", was deployed a coded signal.

But the character did not originate this divisive.

Matt Furie, the illustrator, has been vocal about his disapproval for how the image has been used. The character was intended as simply a "chill frog-dude" in his series.

This character first appeared in comic strips in the mid-2000s – apolitical and famous for a quirky behavior. In 'Feels Good Man', which follows the creator's attempt to take back of his work, he explained his drawing came from his experiences with friends and roommates.

Early in his career, Mr Furie tried uploading his work to the nascent social web, where people online began to borrow, remix and reinvent his character. As Pepe spread into darker parts of online spaces, the creator sought to reject his creation, including ending its life in a final panel.

However, its legacy continued.

"This demonstrates that we don't control symbols," explains Prof Bogad. "Their meaning can evolve and be reclaimed."

Until recently, the notoriety of Pepe resulted in amphibian imagery became a symbol for the right. A transformation occurred in early October, when a viral moment between an activist dressed in a blow-up amphibian suit and a federal agent in Portland, Oregon went viral.

The moment occurred shortly after an order to deploy military personnel to Portland, which was described as "a warzone". Demonstrators began to assemble in large numbers at a specific location, near a federal building.

The situation was tense and an immigration officer deployed pepper spray at a protester, directing it into the opening of the inflatable suit.

The protester, the man in the costume, reacted humorously, remarking it tasted like "spicier tamales". However, the video spread everywhere.

The costume was not too unusual for the city, known for its unconventional spirit and left-wing protests that embrace the unusual – outdoor exercise, 80s-style aerobics lessons, and nude cycling groups. A local saying is "Keep Portland Weird."

This symbol even played a role in subsequent court proceedings between the federal government and the city, which contended the use of troops overstepped authority.

Although a ruling was issued that month that the administration had the right to send personnel, a dissenting judge wrote, noting in her opinion the protesters' "propensity for using unusual attire while voicing their disagreement."

"Some might view this decision, which accepts the government's characterization as a war zone, as merely absurd," she stated. "However, this ruling is not merely absurd."

The deployment was halted by courts subsequently, and troops are said to have left the area.

However, by that time, the amphibian costume was now a powerful anti-administration symbol for progressive movements.

The costume appeared in many cities at No Kings protests recently. There were frogs – along with other creatures – in major US cities. They appeared in rural communities and global metropolises like Tokyo and London.

This item was backordered on major websites, and became more expensive.

Mastering the Visual Story

What connects Pepe and the protest frog – is the relationship between the humorous, benign cartoon and serious intent. This is what "tactical frivolity."

The tactic rests on what the professor calls a "disarming display" – often silly, it acts as a "appealing and non-threatening" act that highlights a message without needing directly articulating them. This is the silly outfit you wear, or the symbol circulated.

Mr Bogad is both an expert in the subject and a veteran practitioner. He authored a book called 'Tactical Performance', and taught workshops internationally.

"You could go back to the Middle Ages – when people are dominated, absurd humor is used to speak the truth a little bit and while maintaining a layer of protection."

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

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