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The protest movement isn't broadcast, though it may feature amphibious toes and large eyes.

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

As rallies opposing the administration continue in US cities, participants have embraced the vibe of a neighborhood dress-up party. They've offered dance instruction, handed out treats, and performed on unicycles, as officers watch.

Blending comedy and political action – an approach experts term "tactical frivolity" – has historical precedent. Yet it has transformed into a defining feature of protests in the United States in this period, embraced by both left and right.

A specific icon has emerged as notably significant – the frog. It originated after a video of a confrontation between an individual in an amphibian costume and ICE agents in Portland, Oregon, spread online. And it has since spread to demonstrations across the country.

"There is much happening with that humble inflatable frog," notes an expert, a professor at UC Davis and a Guggenheim Fellow who focuses on creative activism.

The Path From a Cartoon Frog to Portland

It's challenging to talk about protests and frogs without mentioning Pepe, a cartoon character embraced by far-right groups throughout a political race.

Initially, when the meme gained popularity online, its purpose was to convey certain emotions. Afterwards, it was utilized to endorse a political figure, even one notable meme retweeted by the candidate himself, portraying the frog with recognizable attire and hairstyle.

The frog was also portrayed in certain internet forums in more extreme scenarios, as a hate group member. Participants traded "rare Pepes" and established digital currency using its likeness. His catchphrase, "feels good, man", was deployed a coded signal.

Yet Pepe didn't start out as a political symbol.

Its creator, the illustrator, has stated about his disapproval for how the image has been used. Pepe was supposed to be simply a "chill frog-dude" in his comic world.

The frog first appeared in a series of comics in the mid-2000s – apolitical and best known for a quirky behavior. In 'Feels Good Man', which documents Mr Furie's efforts to reclaim ownership of his creation, he said his drawing came from his experiences with friends and roommates.

When he began, the artist tried sharing his art to new websites, where people online began to borrow, remix and reinvent the frog. When the meme proliferated into fringe areas of the internet, Mr Furie sought to reject the frog, even killing him off in a comic strip.

However, its legacy continued.

"This demonstrates that creators cannot own symbols," explains Prof Bogad. "They transform and be reclaimed."

Previously, the notoriety of this meme resulted in amphibian imagery became a symbol for the right. But that changed recently, when a viral moment between an activist dressed in a blow-up amphibian suit and a federal agent in Portland, Oregon went viral.

This incident occurred shortly after an order to deploy the National Guard to the city, which was called "a warzone". Activists began to assemble in large numbers outside a facility, near a federal building.

Tensions were high and a officer used a chemical agent at a protester, aiming directly into the opening of the puffy frog costume.

Seth Todd, the man in the costume, reacted humorously, remarking he had tasted "something milder". However, the video went viral.

Mr Todd's attire was somewhat typical for Portland, known for its quirky culture and left-wing protests that delight in the ridiculous – outdoor exercise, 80s-style aerobics lessons, and nude cycling groups. The city's unofficial motto is "Keep Portland Weird."

This symbol was also referenced in subsequent court proceedings between the administration and the city, which argued the use of troops was unlawful.

While a judge decided that month that the president had the right to deploy troops, a minority opinion disagreed, mentioning the protesters' "well-known penchant for donning inflatable costumes while voicing opposition."

"Some might view the court's opinion, which adopts the government's characterization as a battlefield, as merely absurd," she wrote. "But today's decision goes beyond absurdity."

The order was halted by courts subsequently, and troops have reportedly departed the city.

Yet already, the amphibian costume had become a powerful symbol of resistance for the left.

The inflatable suit was spotted across the country at anti-authoritarian protests that fall. There were frogs – along with other creatures – in major US cities. They were in rural communities and global metropolises like Tokyo and London.

This item was backordered on online retailers, and rose in price.

Controlling the Optics

What brings both frogs together – lies in the interplay between the silly, innocent image and serious intent. This is what "tactical frivolity."

The strategy is based on what Mr Bogad terms the "irresistible image" – often silly, it acts as a "appealing and non-threatening" act that calls attention to a message without explicitly stating them. It's the goofy costume you wear, or the symbol you share.

The professor is both an expert in the subject and an experienced participant. He authored a text on the subject, and taught workshops around the world.

"You could go back to historical periods – when people are dominated, absurd humor is used to speak the truth a little bit and while maintaining plausible deniability."

The idea of such tactics is three-fold, Mr Bogad says.

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