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This revolution may not be broadcast, but it could have amphibious toes and protruding eyes.

Additionally, it could include the horn of a unicorn or a chicken's feathers.

Whilst rallies against the leadership persist in American cities, demonstrators have embraced the energy of a local block party. They have taught salsa lessons, distributed snacks, and ridden unicycles, as police look on.

Combining comedy and politics – a strategy social scientists call "tactical frivolity" – has historical precedent. But it has become a defining feature of US demonstrations in recent years, embraced by both left and right.

A specific icon has proven to be notably significant – the frog. It started when video footage of a clash between a protester in an amphibian costume and federal officers in the city of Portland, went viral. And it has since spread to protests across the country.

"There is much happening with that small frog costume," says an expert, who teaches at University of California, Davis and an academic who focuses on performance art.

The Path From Pepe to the Streets of Portland

It is difficult to discuss demonstrations and amphibians without mentioning Pepe, a cartoon character adopted by extremist movements throughout an election cycle.

When this image initially spread on the internet, its purpose was to convey specific feelings. Subsequently, its use evolved to endorse a candidate, even a particular image shared by the candidate himself, depicting the frog with recognizable attire and hairstyle.

Images also circulated in certain internet forums in darker contexts, as a historical dictator. Participants traded "unique frog images" and established cryptocurrency in his name. Its famous line, "feels good, man", was used a coded signal.

But its beginnings were not as a political symbol.

Matt Furie, artist Matt Furie, has expressed about his disapproval for its co-option. Pepe was supposed to be simply an apolitical figure in his series.

This character debuted in a series of comics in the mid-2000s – non-political and best known for a particular bathroom habit. In 'Feels Good Man', which follows the creator's attempt to reclaim ownership of his creation, he explained the character came from his time with companions.

When he began, Mr Furie tried uploading his work to early internet platforms, where other users began to copy, alter, and reinterpret his character. As its popularity grew into the more extreme corners of online spaces, the creator attempted to distance himself from the frog, even killing him off in a final panel.

Yet the frog persisted.

"It proves that creators cannot own symbols," explains the professor. "They transform and be reclaimed."

For a long time, the association of this meme resulted in amphibian imagery became a symbol for the right. A transformation occurred recently, when an incident between an activist wearing an inflatable frog costume and an immigration officer in Portland went viral.

The moment occurred shortly after a directive to deploy the National Guard to the city, which was described as "war-ravaged". Activists began to assemble in large numbers at a specific location, near an ICE office.

Emotions ran high and an immigration officer sprayed irritant at a protester, aiming directly into the air intake fan of the inflatable suit.

Seth Todd, Seth Todd, quipped, stating it tasted like "spicier tamales". However, the video became a sensation.

Mr Todd's attire was somewhat typical for the city, famous for its eccentric vibe and activist demonstrations that delight in the unusual – public yoga, retro fitness classes, and nude cycling groups. The city's unofficial motto is "Keep Portland Weird."

The frog became part of in subsequent court proceedings between the administration and the city, which contended the use of troops was unlawful.

While the court ruled that month that the president had the right to deploy troops, a minority opinion disagreed, mentioning the protesters' "well-known penchant for wearing chicken suits while voicing their disagreement."

"Observers may be tempted the majority's ruling, which accepts the government's characterization as a war zone, as simply ridiculous," the dissenting judge opined. "But today's decision goes beyond absurdity."

The deployment was "permanently" blocked just a month later, and personnel withdrew from the area.

But by then, the amphibian costume was now a significant symbol of resistance for the left.

This symbol was seen nationwide at No Kings protests that fall. There were frogs – along with other creatures – in San Diego and Atlanta and Boston. They were in rural communities and big international cities like Tokyo and London.

The inflatable suit was sold out on major websites, and saw its cost increase.

Shaping the Narrative

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

This approach rests on what the professor terms the "irresistible image" – often silly, it's a "appealing and non-threatening" act that highlights a cause without obviously explaining them. This is the silly outfit used, or the meme circulated.

The professor is an analyst in the subject and someone who uses these tactics. He authored a book called 'Tactical Performance', and taught workshops internationally.

"One can look back to historical periods – when people are dominated, they use absurdity to speak the truth indirectly and while maintaining a layer of protection."

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

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