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The revolution won't be televised, but it could have webbed feet and protruding eyes.

It also might feature a unicorn's horn or the plumage of a chicken.

While rallies opposing the leadership continue in US cities, protesters are utilizing the spirit of a local block party. They have taught dance instruction, handed out snacks, and ridden unicycles, while armed law enforcement watch.

Combining humour and political action – an approach social scientists refer to as "tactical frivolity" – is not new. Yet it has transformed into a hallmark of American protest in recent years, adopted by various groups.

And one symbol has risen to become notably significant – the frog. It originated when a video of a clash between a man in a frog suit and federal officers in the city of Portland, went viral. From there, it proliferated to rallies throughout the United States.

"There's a lot going on with that little frog costume," states an expert, who teaches at UC Davis and a Guggenheim Fellow who studies performance art.

The Path From Pepe to Portland

It is difficult to talk about protests and frogs without addressing Pepe, a cartoon character embraced by extremist movements during a political race.

Initially, when the character first took off online, it was used to express specific feelings. Subsequently, its use evolved to show support for a political figure, even one notable meme endorsed by that figure personally, depicting Pepe with recognizable attire and hairstyle.

Images also circulated in right-wing online communities in darker contexts, portrayed as a hate group member. Online conservatives traded "unique frog images" and set up digital currency in his name. His catchphrase, "that feels good", was deployed a coded signal.

However its beginnings were not as a political symbol.

Its creator, the illustrator, has been vocal about his distaste for how the image has been used. Pepe was supposed to be simply a relaxed amphibian in his comic world.

The frog first appeared in an online comic in 2005 – apolitical and notable for a quirky behavior. In a documentary, which follows the creator's attempt to take back of his creation, he stated his drawing came from his life with companions.

As he started out, the artist tried sharing his art to new websites, where other users began to copy, alter, and reinterpret the frog. When the meme proliferated into darker parts of the internet, the creator attempted to distance himself from his creation, even killing him off in a final panel.

However, its legacy continued.

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

Previously, the association of this meme meant that amphibian imagery were predominantly linked to the right. A transformation occurred in early October, when a confrontation between an activist wearing an inflatable frog costume and an immigration officer in Portland, Oregon spread rapidly online.

This incident came just days after a decision to deploy military personnel to the city, which was called "a warzone". Demonstrators began to assemble in large numbers at a specific location, just outside of an immigration enforcement facility.

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

The individual, the man in the costume, quipped, stating he had tasted "something milder". But the incident went viral.

The frog suit was not too unusual for the city, famous for its quirky culture and left-wing protests that embrace the ridiculous – outdoor exercise, 80s-style aerobics lessons, and nude cycling groups. A local saying is "Keep Portland Weird."

The costume became part of in a lawsuit between the administration and the city, which argued the deployment was illegal.

Although a judge decided in October that the president had the right to deploy troops, a dissenting judge wrote, noting in her opinion the protesters' "well-known penchant for using unusual attire while voicing dissent."

"It is easy to see the majority's ruling, which accepts the description of Portland as a war zone, as simply ridiculous," Judge Susan Graber stated. "But today's decision goes beyond absurdity."

The action was stopped legally just a month later, and personnel have reportedly departed the city.

However, by that time, the frog had transformed into a powerful symbol of resistance for the left.

The inflatable suit appeared nationwide at No Kings protests recently. There were frogs – and unicorns and axolotls and dinosaurs – in San Diego and Atlanta and Boston. They appeared in small towns and global metropolises abroad.

The inflatable suit was backordered on online retailers, and saw its cost increase.

Mastering the Narrative

What connects both frogs together – lies in the interplay between the humorous, benign cartoon and a deeper political meaning. This is what "tactical frivolity."

This approach is based on what the professor terms a "disarming display" – frequently absurd, it's a "disarming and charming" performance that draws focus to a cause without needing directly articulating them. It's the silly outfit you wear, or the symbol you share.

Mr Bogad is both an expert on this topic and someone who uses these tactics. He authored a text on the subject, 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 still have a layer of protection."

The idea of such tactics is multi-faceted, he says.

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