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

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

As rallies against the government continue in US cities, protesters are utilizing the spirit of a neighborhood dress-up party. They've provided dance instruction, given away snacks, and performed on unicycles, as armed law enforcement look on.

Mixing humour and politics – an approach social scientists term "tactical frivolity" – is not new. Yet it has transformed into a hallmark of protests in the United States in this period, embraced by both left and right.

One particular emblem has emerged as notably significant – the frog. It started when video footage of a clash between an individual in a frog suit and federal officers in Portland, Oregon, became an internet sensation. From there, it proliferated to rallies across the country.

"There is much going on with that humble blow-up amphibian," notes a professor, who teaches at UC Davis and a Guggenheim Fellow who specialises in performance art.

The Path From the Pepe Meme 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 the character first took off online, its purpose was to express specific feelings. Subsequently, it was utilized to express backing for a political figure, including a particular image retweeted by that figure himself, depicting Pepe with a signature suit and hair.

Pepe was also depicted in digital spaces in darker contexts, as a hate group member. Participants exchanged "rare Pepes" and established cryptocurrency in his name. Its famous line, "feels good, man", became a coded signal.

But the character did not originate this divisive.

Matt Furie, the illustrator, has stated about his unhappiness for its co-option. His creation was meant as simply an apolitical figure in his series.

Pepe debuted in a series of comics in 2005 – non-political and best known for a quirky behavior. In 'Feels Good Man', which documents Mr Furie's efforts to wrest back control of his creation, he stated the character was inspired by his life with companions.

When he began, the artist experimented with sharing his art to early internet platforms, where people online began to copy, alter, and reinterpret the frog. As Pepe spread into darker parts of the internet, the creator tried to disavow his creation, even killing him off in a final panel.

But Pepe lived on.

"It proves that creators cannot own symbols," says Prof Bogad. "They transform and be reworked."

Previously, the association of Pepe meant that frogs were predominantly linked to conservative politics. A transformation occurred in early October, when a confrontation between an activist dressed in a blow-up amphibian suit and an immigration officer in Portland captured global attention.

This incident came just days after a directive to deploy military personnel to Portland, which was described as "war-ravaged". Demonstrators began to assemble in large numbers on a single block, just outside of a federal building.

Emotions ran high and an immigration officer used irritant at the individual, directing it into the opening of the puffy frog costume.

The protester, Seth Todd, reacted humorously, saying he had tasted "something milder". However, the video became a sensation.

Mr Todd's attire fit right in for Portland, famous for its eccentric vibe and left-wing protests that embrace the absurd – public yoga, 80s-style aerobics lessons, and unique parades. Its creed is "Embrace the Strange."

This symbol even played a role in the ensuing legal battle between the administration and Portland, which claimed the use of troops overstepped authority.

While a ruling was issued in October that the president was within its rights to send personnel, a minority opinion disagreed, noting in her opinion the protesters' "known tendency for using unusual attire when expressing dissent."

"It is easy to see the majority's ruling, which accepts the government's characterization as a war zone, as simply ridiculous," the dissenting judge wrote. "But today's decision goes beyond absurdity."

The action was stopped legally subsequently, and troops withdrew from the area.

But by then, the amphibian costume had become a powerful anti-administration symbol for progressive movements.

The inflatable suit appeared across the country at No Kings protests recently. Amphibian costumes were present – along with other creatures – in major US cities. They appeared in rural communities and big international cities like Tokyo and London.

This item was backordered on online retailers, and saw its cost increase.

Shaping the Visual Story

What brings Pepe and the protest frog – lies in the relationship between the silly, innocent image and serious intent. Experts call this "tactical frivolity."

This approach is based on what the professor terms the "irresistible image" – often silly, it's a "disarming and charming" performance that highlights a cause without needing explicitly stating them. It's the goofy costume you wear, or the meme you share.

The professor is an analyst on this topic and someone who uses these tactics. He's written a book called 'Tactical Performance', and taught workshops internationally.

"One can look back to the Middle Ages – under oppressive regimes, they use absurdity to express dissent a little bit and still have a layer of protection."

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

As protesters take on authority, a silly costume {takes control of|seizes|influences