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This revolution may not be broadcast, yet it might possess amphibious toes and protruding eyes.

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

Whilst rallies against the government continue in American cities, protesters are adopting the vibe of a local block party. They've offered salsa lessons, given away treats, and performed on unicycles, while police watch.

Combining levity and politics – a strategy researchers term "tactical frivolity" – is not new. But it has become a defining feature of protests in the United States in recent years, used by various groups.

A specific icon has risen to become notably significant – the frog. It started when a video of a confrontation between a protester in an inflatable frog and immigration enforcement agents in the city of Portland, went viral. From there, it proliferated to rallies nationwide.

"A great deal at play with that small inflatable frog," says an expert, a professor at University of California, Davis and an academic who specialises in creative activism.

From a Cartoon Frog to the Streets of Portland

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

When the meme initially spread online, its purpose was to signal specific feelings. Later, its use evolved to express backing for a political figure, including one notable meme retweeted by that figure personally, portraying Pepe with a signature suit and hair.

Pepe was also depicted in certain internet forums in offensive ways, portrayed as a hate group member. Online conservatives exchanged "rare Pepes" and set up cryptocurrency in his name. His catchphrase, "that feels good", became an inside joke.

But Pepe didn't start out so controversial.

Its creator, artist Matt Furie, has been vocal about his disapproval for its co-option. The character was intended as simply a relaxed amphibian in his comic world.

This character first appeared in a series of comics in the mid-2000s – apolitical and famous for a particular bathroom habit. In a documentary, which follows the creator's attempt to wrest back control of his work, he stated the character was inspired by his time with friends and roommates.

Early in his career, the artist experimented with uploading his work to new websites, where other users began to borrow, remix and reinvent the frog. As its popularity grew into darker parts of the internet, Mr Furie sought to reject the frog, including ending its life in a final panel.

However, its legacy continued.

"It proves that we don't control symbols," says Prof Bogad. "They transform and be repurposed."

Previously, the association of this meme resulted in frogs were predominantly linked to the right. This shifted recently, when a viral moment between a protestor dressed in a blow-up amphibian suit and a federal agent in Portland, Oregon spread rapidly online.

This incident came just days after a directive to send the National Guard to Portland, which was called "a warzone". Activists began to congregate outside a facility, just outside of an ICE office.

The situation was tense and an immigration officer sprayed a chemical agent at a protester, aiming directly into the opening of the costume.

The protester, the man in the costume, responded with a joke, stating it tasted like "something milder". Yet the footage went viral.

The frog suit was somewhat typical for Portland, known for its unconventional spirit and activist demonstrations that revel in the absurd – public yoga, 80s-style aerobics lessons, and nude cycling groups. A local saying is "Keep Portland Weird."

The frog even played a role in the ensuing legal battle between the federal government and the city, which argued the deployment was unlawful.

While the court ruled in October that the administration had the right to send personnel, a minority opinion disagreed, mentioning demonstrators' "well-known penchant for wearing chicken suits while voicing opposition."

"Some might view this decision, which adopts the description of Portland as a war zone, as merely absurd," Judge Susan Graber wrote. "However, this ruling is not merely absurd."

The order was halted by courts soon after, and personnel have reportedly departed the city.

Yet already, the amphibian costume had become a potent protest icon for progressive movements.

The costume was seen across the country at No Kings protests that fall. Amphibian costumes were present – and unicorns and axolotls and dinosaurs – in San Diego and Atlanta and Boston. They appeared in rural communities and global metropolises like Tokyo and London.

The inflatable suit was sold out on online retailers, and became more expensive.

Mastering the Optics

The link between Pepe and the protest frog – is the dynamic between the silly, innocent image and serious intent. This is what "tactical frivolity."

This approach rests on what the professor calls the "irresistible image" – frequently absurd, it acts as a "disarming and charming" performance that draws focus to a cause without obviously explaining them. It's the goofy costume you wear, or the meme circulated.

Mr Bogad is an analyst on this topic and a veteran practitioner. He's written a book on the subject, and taught workshops internationally.

"You could go back to historical periods – under oppressive regimes, they use absurdity to express dissent a little bit and while maintaining a layer of protection."

The idea of this approach is multi-faceted, he says.

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