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This protest movement may not be broadcast, yet it might possess amphibious toes and large eyes.

It also might feature a unicorn's horn or a chicken's feathers.

While demonstrations opposing the administration carry on in US cities, demonstrators have embraced the vibe of a neighborhood dress-up party. They have taught dance instruction, distributed snacks, and ridden unicycles, as officers look on.

Mixing levity and political action – a strategy social scientists refer to as "tactical frivolity" – is not new. However, it has emerged as a signature characteristic of protests in the United States in recent years, adopted by various groups.

One particular emblem has emerged as notably significant – the frog. It started after recordings of a clash between a protester in an amphibian costume and immigration enforcement agents in the city of Portland, went viral. It subsequently appeared to rallies across the country.

"There is much going on with that humble inflatable frog," says a professor, who teaches at UC Davis and an academic who focuses on creative activism.

From a Cartoon Frog to the Streets of Portland

It's hard to talk about demonstrations and amphibians without mentioning Pepe, a cartoon character co-opted by extremist movements during a political race.

When the character initially spread online, it was used to signal certain emotions. Afterwards, its use evolved to show support for 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 offensive ways, portrayed as a historical dictator. Participants traded "unique frog images" and set up cryptocurrency in his name. His catchphrase, "that feels good", was deployed an inside joke.

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

Matt Furie, artist Matt Furie, has stated about his disapproval for its appropriation. Pepe was supposed to be simply a "chill frog-dude" in this artist's universe.

The frog first appeared in comic strips in 2005 – apolitical and famous for a quirky behavior. In a documentary, which follows the creator's attempt to wrest back control of his creation, he stated the character came from his time with companions.

Early in his career, Mr Furie tried uploading his work to new websites, where people online began to borrow, remix and reinvent his character. As Pepe spread into the more extreme corners of the internet, the creator sought to reject the frog, including ending its life in a comic strip.

However, its legacy continued.

"This demonstrates that we don't control symbols," says the professor. "Their meaning can evolve and be reclaimed."

Until recently, the association of this meme meant that frogs were predominantly linked to the right. But that changed recently, when a confrontation between a protestor wearing an inflatable frog costume and a federal agent in Portland, Oregon went viral.

This incident occurred shortly after a decision to deploy the National Guard to Portland, which was called "a warzone". Activists began to congregate on a single block, just outside of an ICE office.

The situation was tense and a officer deployed pepper spray at a protester, targeting the air intake fan of the puffy frog costume.

Seth Todd, Seth Todd, quipped, stating it tasted like "spicier tamales". Yet the footage went viral.

The costume was not too unusual for Portland, famous for its quirky culture and left-wing protests that revel in the absurd – public yoga, 80s-style aerobics lessons, and nude cycling groups. The city's unofficial motto is "Keep Portland Weird."

This symbol was also referenced in a lawsuit between the federal government and the city, which claimed the deployment was unlawful.

While the court ruled that month that the president had the right to send personnel, a dissenting judge wrote, referencing in her ruling demonstrators' "known tendency for donning inflatable costumes when expressing their disagreement."

"Observers may be tempted the majority's ruling, which accepts the government's characterization as a battlefield, as simply ridiculous," Judge Susan Graber wrote. "However, this ruling goes beyond absurdity."

The order was "permanently" blocked soon after, and personnel withdrew from the city.

But by then, the frog was now a powerful symbol of resistance for progressive movements.

The costume was spotted in many cities at No Kings protests recently. Amphibian costumes were present – along with other creatures – in San Diego and Atlanta and Boston. They were in small towns and big international cities abroad.

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

Shaping the Visual Story

The link between Pepe and the protest frog – is the dynamic between the silly, innocent image and a deeper political meaning. Experts call this "tactical frivolity."

The strategy is based on what Mr Bogad terms a "disarming display" – frequently absurd, it's a "appealing and non-threatening" act that highlights a message without explicitly stating them. It's the silly outfit used, or the symbol circulated.

The professor is an analyst on this topic and an experienced participant. He authored a text on the subject, and led seminars around the world.

"One can look back to the Middle Ages – when people are dominated, absurd humor is used to express dissent a little bit and while maintaining a layer of protection."

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

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