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This protest movement isn't broadcast, yet it might possess amphibious toes and protruding eyes.

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

Whilst protests opposing the government carry on in US cities, protesters are utilizing the vibe of a community costume parade. They've offered salsa lessons, handed out snacks, and ridden unicycles, while armed law enforcement watch.

Blending humour and politics – an approach social scientists refer to as "tactical frivolity" – isn't novel. But it has become a hallmark of American protest in the current era, used by both left and right.

And one symbol has emerged as notably significant – the frog. It originated after a video of a confrontation between an individual in an amphibian costume and federal officers in the city of Portland, went viral. And it has since spread to protests across the country.

"There's a lot happening with that little inflatable frog," says an expert, who teaches at UC Davis and an academic who focuses on creative activism.

The Path From Pepe to the Streets of Portland

It's challenging to examine protests and frogs without mentioning Pepe, an illustrated figure adopted by far-right groups during a previous presidential campaign.

When this image first took off online, people used it to express specific feelings. Subsequently, it was utilized to express backing for a candidate, including one notable meme endorsed by that figure personally, depicting Pepe with recognizable attire and hairstyle.

Images also circulated in right-wing online communities in more extreme scenarios, portrayed as a hate group member. Participants traded "rare Pepes" and set up cryptocurrency in his name. His catchphrase, "feels good, man", was used an inside joke.

But the character did not originate as a political symbol.

Its creator, artist Matt Furie, has stated about his disapproval for its appropriation. Pepe was supposed to be simply a relaxed amphibian in this artist's universe.

This character debuted in a series of comics in the mid-2000s – apolitical and notable for a quirky behavior. In 'Feels Good Man', which chronicles the creator's attempt to wrest back control of his work, he said his drawing came from his time with friends and roommates.

When he began, the artist tried sharing his art to new websites, where the community began to borrow, remix and reinvent his character. As Pepe spread into the more extreme corners of the internet, the creator sought to reject his creation, even killing him off in a final panel.

Yet the frog persisted.

"It proves that creators cannot own symbols," says Prof Bogad. "They can change and shift and be reclaimed."

Until recently, the notoriety of Pepe meant that frogs were predominantly linked to the right. But that changed in early October, when an incident between a protestor dressed in an inflatable frog costume and a federal agent in Portland, Oregon captured global attention.

This incident occurred shortly after a directive to deploy military personnel to Portland, which was described as "a warzone". Activists began to assemble in large numbers at a specific location, just outside of a federal building.

The situation was tense and an immigration officer sprayed irritant at the individual, directing it into the ventilation of the puffy frog costume.

The protester, the man in the costume, reacted humorously, saying he had tasted "something milder". But the incident became a sensation.

The costume was somewhat typical for Portland, renowned for its quirky culture and activist demonstrations that revel in the unusual – outdoor exercise, 80s-style aerobics lessons, and unique parades. The city's unofficial motto is "Embrace the Strange."

This symbol was also referenced in the ensuing legal battle between the administration and Portland, which argued the deployment was unlawful.

While a ruling was issued that month that the president had the right to deploy troops, a minority opinion disagreed, referencing in her ruling the protesters' "known tendency for using unusual attire when expressing their disagreement."

"It is easy to see this decision, which adopts the government's characterization as a war zone, as merely absurd," the dissenting judge wrote. "Yet the outcome has serious implications."

The action was stopped legally soon after, and personnel are said to have left the city.

Yet already, the amphibian costume was now a significant symbol of resistance for progressive movements.

This symbol was seen across the country at anti-authoritarian protests last autumn. There were frogs – along with other creatures – in major US cities. They appeared in small towns and big international cities like Tokyo and London.

The frog costume was in high demand on major websites, and became more expensive.

Mastering the Narrative

What connects Pepe and the protest frog – lies in the dynamic between the silly, innocent image and serious intent. This is what "tactical frivolity."

The strategy rests on what Mr Bogad calls the "irresistible image" – usually humorous, it's a "disarming and charming" performance that calls attention to a cause without needing explicitly stating them. This is the silly outfit used, or the symbol you share.

The professor is both an expert on this topic and an experienced participant. He authored a book called 'Tactical Performance', and taught workshops around the world.

"You could go back to the Middle Ages – under oppressive regimes, absurd humor is used to speak the truth indirectly and while maintaining a layer of protection."

The purpose of this approach is multi-faceted, Mr Bogad says.

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