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The protest movement may not be broadcast, but it could have webbed feet and protruding eyes.

Furthermore, it may involve a unicorn's horn or a chicken's feathers.

Whilst protests opposing the government continue in American cities, protesters have embraced the vibe of a community costume parade. They've offered salsa lessons, given away snacks, and ridden unicycles, while police look on.

Mixing humour and politics – an approach social scientists call "tactical frivolity" – has historical precedent. Yet it has transformed into a hallmark of protests in the United States in this period, embraced by various groups.

And one symbol has risen to become particularly salient – the frog. It started when recordings of a clash between a protester in an inflatable frog and ICE agents in Portland, Oregon, went viral. It subsequently appeared to protests nationwide.

"There's a lot at play with that little frog costume," notes an expert, a professor at UC Davis and an academic who focuses on political performance.

The Path From the Pepe Meme to Portland

It's hard to examine demonstrations and amphibians without mentioning Pepe, an illustrated figure adopted by extremist movements during a political race.

When the meme gained popularity on the internet, it was used to signal specific feelings. Later, its use evolved to express backing for a candidate, even a particular image shared by the candidate personally, showing the frog with a signature suit and hair.

Pepe was also depicted in certain internet forums in darker contexts, portrayed as a historical dictator. Online conservatives exchanged "rare Pepes" and set up digital currency using its likeness. His catchphrase, "that feels good", became a shared phrase.

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

Its creator, the illustrator, has stated about his disapproval for its appropriation. His creation was meant as simply an apolitical figure in his comic world.

This character debuted in an online comic in 2005 – apolitical and notable for a quirky behavior. In a documentary, which documents the creator's attempt to wrest back control of his creation, he explained his drawing was inspired by his time with friends and roommates.

As he started out, Mr Furie tried sharing his art to early internet platforms, where other users began to copy, alter, and reinterpret his character. As Pepe spread into darker parts of the internet, the creator sought to reject his creation, even killing him off in a comic strip.

However, its legacy continued.

"It shows that creators cannot own icons," says Prof Bogad. "Their meaning can evolve and be repurposed."

Previously, the notoriety of Pepe meant that amphibian imagery were largely associated with conservative politics. But that changed on a day in October, when an incident between an activist wearing a blow-up amphibian suit and a federal agent in Portland, Oregon spread rapidly online.

The event followed an order to send the National Guard to Portland, which was described as "a warzone". Demonstrators began to gather in droves at a specific location, just outside of a federal building.

Emotions ran high and an agent sprayed irritant at a protester, directing it into the opening of the costume.

The protester, Seth Todd, reacted humorously, stating he had tasted "spicier tamales". Yet the footage spread everywhere.

The frog suit was somewhat typical for Portland, famous for its quirky culture and left-wing protests that delight in the unusual – public yoga, retro fitness classes, and nude cycling groups. A local saying is "Keep Portland Weird."

The costume became part of in subsequent court proceedings between the administration and the city, which contended the deployment was unlawful.

Although the court ruled in October that the administration was within its rights to send personnel, one judge dissented, mentioning the protesters' "known tendency for using unusual attire while voicing their disagreement."

"Some might view the majority's ruling, which adopts the government's characterization as a battlefield, as merely absurd," the dissenting judge wrote. "However, this ruling is not merely absurd."

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

But by then, the amphibian costume was now a potent symbol of resistance for progressive movements.

The inflatable suit was seen nationwide at anti-authoritarian protests recently. 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.

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

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."

The tactic is based on what Mr Bogad calls a "disarming display" – usually humorous, it acts as a "disarming and charming" act that calls attention to your ideas without needing directly articulating them. This is the silly outfit used, or the meme circulated.

Mr Bogad is both an expert on this topic and someone who uses these tactics. He's written a text called 'Tactical Performance', and led seminars around the world.

"You could go back to historical periods – under oppressive regimes, they use absurdity to express dissent indirectly and still have a layer of protection."

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

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