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The revolution may not be broadcast, yet it might possess webbed feet and large eyes.

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

As protests opposing the government carry on in US cities, demonstrators have embraced the spirit of a local block party. They've offered salsa lessons, given away treats, and performed on unicycles, as police look on.

Mixing levity and politics – a strategy researchers term "tactical frivolity" – has historical precedent. However, it has emerged as a signature characteristic of US demonstrations in this period, used by all sides of the political spectrum.

A specific icon has proven to be particularly salient – the frog. It originated when a video of an encounter between a man in a frog suit and federal officers in the city of Portland, went viral. And it has since spread to demonstrations across the country.

"A great deal going on with that little inflatable frog," says an expert, a professor at UC Davis and a Guggenheim Fellow who studies performance art.

From the Pepe Meme to the Streets of Portland

It's hard to discuss demonstrations and amphibians without mentioning Pepe, a cartoon character co-opted by far-right groups throughout a previous presidential campaign.

Initially, when the meme first took off on the internet, it was used to express certain emotions. Later, its use evolved to endorse a political figure, even a particular image endorsed by that figure personally, depicting the frog with recognizable attire and hairstyle.

The frog was also portrayed in certain internet forums in darker contexts, portrayed as a hate group member. Participants traded "unique frog images" and set up cryptocurrency in his name. His catchphrase, "feels good, man", was used a coded signal.

Yet the character did not originate so controversial.

Matt Furie, the illustrator, has stated about his distaste for how the image has been used. His creation was meant as simply an apolitical figure in his series.

The frog first appeared in comic strips in the mid-2000s – apolitical and notable for a particular bathroom habit. In 'Feels Good Man', which chronicles Mr Furie's efforts to reclaim ownership of his creation, he explained the character was inspired by his experiences with friends and roommates.

As he started out, Mr Furie tried uploading his work to early internet platforms, where people online began to copy, alter, and reinterpret the frog. When the meme proliferated into fringe areas of online spaces, Mr Furie tried to disavow the frog, including ending its life in a final panel.

However, its legacy continued.

"This demonstrates that we don't control imagery," explains Prof Bogad. "They transform and be reworked."

Previously, the notoriety of this meme meant that frogs were predominantly linked to conservative politics. A transformation occurred on a day in October, when a confrontation between a protestor wearing a blow-up amphibian suit and a federal agent in Portland, Oregon went viral.

The moment followed a decision to send the National Guard to Portland, which was described as "war-ravaged". Activists began to gather in droves outside a facility, near an immigration enforcement facility.

Emotions ran high and an immigration officer used irritant at a protester, aiming directly into the opening of the costume.

The individual, Seth Todd, quipped, stating he had tasted "spicier tamales". Yet the footage spread everywhere.

The costume was somewhat typical for the city, known for its eccentric vibe and left-wing protests that embrace the ridiculous – outdoor exercise, retro fitness classes, and nude cycling groups. The city's unofficial motto is "Embrace the Strange."

This symbol became part of in subsequent court proceedings between the federal government and the city, which argued the deployment was unlawful.

Although a ruling was issued in October that the administration was within its rights to deploy troops, a dissenting judge wrote, mentioning demonstrators' "known tendency for using unusual attire when expressing their disagreement."

"Observers may be tempted this decision, which accepts the description of Portland as a battlefield, as simply ridiculous," she stated. "But today's decision has serious implications."

The action was halted by courts just a month later, and troops have reportedly departed the area.

But by then, the frog had become a powerful protest icon for the left.

The costume was seen in many cities at No Kings protests that fall. There were frogs – along with other creatures – in major US cities. They appeared in rural communities and global metropolises abroad.

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

Controlling the Narrative

What connects Pepe and the protest frog – is the dynamic between the silly, innocent image and serious intent. Experts call this "tactical frivolity."

The strategy is based on what Mr Bogad terms the "irresistible image" – usually humorous, it acts as a "disarming and charming" display that highlights a message without needing obviously explaining them. This is the silly outfit used, or the meme circulated.

The professor is an analyst in the subject and a veteran practitioner. He's written a book 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 indirectly and while maintaining plausible deniability."

The theory of such tactics is multi-faceted, he explains.

When activists take on a powerful opposition, a silly costume {takes control of|seizes|influences