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This revolution isn't broadcast, yet it might possess webbed feet and protruding eyes.

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

Whilst demonstrations opposing the government continue in American cities, demonstrators are adopting the spirit of a community costume parade. They have taught dance instruction, distributed treats, and performed on unicycles, as armed law enforcement watch.

Blending humour and political action – a tactic experts call "tactical frivolity" – is not new. However, it has emerged as a hallmark of US demonstrations in the current era, adopted by various groups.

And one symbol has proven to be notably significant – the frog. It began after video footage of an encounter between a man in an amphibian costume and ICE agents in Portland, Oregon, became an internet sensation. And it has since spread to demonstrations across the country.

"A great deal at play with that humble blow-up amphibian," notes LM Bogad, who teaches at UC Davis and an academic who specialises in creative activism.

The Path From Pepe to the Streets of Portland

It's challenging to examine protests and frogs without addressing Pepe, an illustrated figure embraced by online communities throughout an election cycle.

As the meme initially spread on the internet, people used it to express certain emotions. Later, it was utilized to express backing for a political figure, including one notable meme endorsed by that figure himself, depicting the frog with a signature suit and hair.

The frog was also portrayed in right-wing online communities in more extreme scenarios, as a historical dictator. Users traded "rare Pepes" and established cryptocurrency using its likeness. Its famous line, "feels good, man", was used a coded signal.

But Pepe didn't start out so controversial.

Its creator, the illustrator, has been vocal about his disapproval for its appropriation. The character was intended as simply a relaxed amphibian in his comic world.

The frog debuted in comic strips in 2005 – non-political and notable for a quirky behavior. A film, which follows Mr Furie's efforts to take back of his work, he explained his drawing was inspired by his life with companions.

When he began, the artist tried sharing his art to early internet platforms, where the community began to copy, alter, and reinterpret his character. When the meme proliferated into the more extreme corners of online spaces, Mr Furie tried to disavow his creation, including ending its life in a final panel.

Yet the frog persisted.

"It shows the lack of control over icons," explains Prof Bogad. "They transform and be reworked."

For a long time, the notoriety of this meme resulted in frogs were predominantly linked to the right. But that changed on a day in October, when a confrontation between an activist wearing a blow-up amphibian suit and an immigration officer in Portland captured global attention.

The event followed a decision to deploy the National Guard to Portland, which was called "war-ravaged". Protesters began to congregate at a specific location, near an ICE office.

Emotions ran high and an agent sprayed a chemical agent at a protester, targeting the opening of the puffy frog costume.

Seth Todd, the man in the costume, quipped, saying it tasted like "spicier tamales". However, the video spread everywhere.

Mr Todd's attire was somewhat typical for the city, known for its quirky culture and activist demonstrations that delight in the ridiculous – outdoor exercise, 80s-style aerobics lessons, and unique parades. The city's unofficial motto is "Embrace the Strange."

The costume even played a role in the ensuing legal battle between the federal government and the city, which claimed the use of troops overstepped authority.

Although a judge decided in October that the president had the right to send personnel, a minority opinion disagreed, referencing in her ruling demonstrators' "propensity for wearing chicken suits while voicing opposition."

"Observers may be tempted the majority's ruling, which adopts the government's characterization as a war zone, as merely absurd," she stated. "Yet the outcome is not merely absurd."

The action was stopped legally subsequently, and personnel have reportedly departed the city.

However, by that time, the frog was now a potent protest icon for the left.

The inflatable suit was seen nationwide at No Kings protests last autumn. Amphibian costumes were present – along with other creatures – in major US cities. They were in rural communities and global metropolises like Tokyo and London.

The frog costume was in high demand on online retailers, and became more expensive.

Controlling the Narrative

What connects both frogs together – is the dynamic between the humorous, benign cartoon and underlying political significance. Experts call this "tactical frivolity."

The strategy relies on what Mr Bogad calls the "irresistible image" – frequently absurd, it's a "disarming and charming" display that draws focus to your ideas without needing explicitly stating them. This is the unusual prop used, or the symbol you share.

Mr Bogad is both an expert in the subject and someone who uses these tactics. He's written a text on the subject, and led seminars internationally.

"You could go back to historical periods – under oppressive regimes, they use absurdity to speak the truth indirectly and while maintaining a layer of protection."

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

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