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This revolution won't be broadcast, yet it might possess amphibious toes and protruding eyes.

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

As protests opposing the leadership continue in American cities, participants have embraced the energy of a neighborhood dress-up party. They've provided dance instruction, distributed snacks, and ridden unicycles, as armed law enforcement look on.

Mixing levity and political action – a strategy researchers term "tactical frivolity" – has historical precedent. Yet it has transformed into a signature characteristic of protests in the United States in the current era, adopted by all sides of the political spectrum.

A specific icon has proven to be notably significant – the frog. It originated when video footage of a confrontation between an individual in a frog suit and immigration enforcement agents in Portland, Oregon, spread online. It subsequently appeared to demonstrations across the country.

"There is much at play with that little frog costume," states LM Bogad, who teaches at University of California, Davis and an academic who studies creative activism.

The Path From Pepe to Portland

It's hard to talk about protests and frogs without addressing Pepe, an illustrated figure embraced by extremist movements during an election cycle.

When the meme first took off online, it was used to convey specific feelings. Later, it was deployed to express backing for a candidate, including one notable meme endorsed by that figure personally, showing Pepe with recognizable attire and hairstyle.

Pepe was also depicted in digital spaces in more extreme scenarios, portrayed as a hate group member. Online conservatives exchanged "unique frog images" and established cryptocurrency using its likeness. Its famous line, "feels good, man", was deployed a coded signal.

But the character did not originate as a political symbol.

Its creator, artist Matt Furie, has expressed about his disapproval for its appropriation. His creation was meant as simply a relaxed amphibian in this artist's universe.

Pepe first appeared in comic strips in the mid-2000s – non-political and famous for a quirky behavior. In 'Feels Good Man', which follows Mr Furie's efforts to reclaim ownership of his work, he said his drawing was inspired by his experiences with friends and roommates.

Early in his career, the artist tried uploading his work to early internet platforms, where the community began to copy, alter, and reinterpret his character. When the meme proliferated into fringe areas of online spaces, the creator sought to reject his creation, including ending its life in a final panel.

Yet the frog persisted.

"It shows the lack of control over imagery," states the professor. "They transform and be reworked."

For a long time, the notoriety of Pepe resulted in amphibian imagery were predominantly linked to conservative politics. But that changed recently, when a confrontation between an activist dressed in an inflatable frog costume and a federal agent in Portland went viral.

The moment came just days after a decision to send military personnel to the city, which was called "war-ravaged". Demonstrators began to gather in droves at a specific location, just outside of an immigration enforcement facility.

Emotions ran high and a officer deployed irritant at the individual, targeting the ventilation of the puffy frog costume.

The protester, the man in the costume, reacted humorously, remarking it tasted like "spicier tamales". However, the video became a sensation.

Mr Todd's attire was somewhat typical for Portland, renowned for its quirky culture and activist demonstrations that delight in the ridiculous – public yoga, retro fitness classes, and unique parades. A local saying is "Keep Portland Weird."

This symbol was also referenced in a lawsuit between the federal government and Portland, which claimed the deployment overstepped authority.

While a judge decided that month that the president had the right to send personnel, a minority opinion disagreed, noting in her opinion demonstrators' "well-known penchant for donning inflatable costumes while voicing opposition."

"It is easy to see the majority's ruling, which adopts the description of Portland as a war zone, as merely absurd," Judge Susan Graber wrote. "But today's decision goes beyond absurdity."

The deployment was halted by courts just a month later, and troops withdrew from the area.

Yet already, the frog had transformed into a significant protest icon for the left.

The costume appeared across the country at anti-authoritarian protests that fall. Frogs appeared – along with other creatures – in major US cities. They appeared in rural communities and big international cities abroad.

The frog costume was backordered on major websites, and became more expensive.

Mastering the Visual Story

The link between the two amphibian symbols – is the interplay between the silly, innocent image and a deeper political meaning. This is what "tactical frivolity."

The strategy relies on what the professor terms the "irresistible image" – frequently absurd, it's a "appealing and non-threatening" display that highlights your ideas without needing obviously explaining them. It's the unusual prop you wear, or the symbol you share.

Mr Bogad is both an expert on this topic and someone who uses these tactics. He authored a book called 'Tactical Performance', 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 still have plausible deniability."

The purpose of such tactics is multi-faceted, he explains.

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