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This protest movement isn't broadcast, though it may feature webbed feet and large eyes.

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

Whilst demonstrations against the government carry on in US cities, protesters are utilizing the energy of a neighborhood dress-up party. They have taught dance instruction, distributed snacks, and performed on unicycles, while armed law enforcement watch.

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

One particular emblem has risen to become notably significant – the frog. It started after video footage of an encounter between a man in an inflatable frog and federal officers in Portland, Oregon, went viral. It subsequently appeared to protests across the country.

"There is much at play with that little frog costume," states LM Bogad, a professor at UC Davis and a Guggenheim Fellow who focuses on political performance.

From a Cartoon Frog to the Streets of Portland

It's hard to discuss protests and frogs without mentioning Pepe, a cartoon character embraced by online communities throughout an election cycle.

Initially, when this image initially spread on the internet, its purpose was to express specific feelings. Subsequently, it was utilized to show support for a candidate, even one notable meme retweeted by the candidate personally, portraying the frog with recognizable attire and hairstyle.

Pepe was also depicted in certain internet forums in darker contexts, as a historical dictator. Users exchanged "rare Pepes" and set up digital currency using its likeness. His catchphrase, "that feels good", was deployed an inside joke.

Yet Pepe didn't start out this divisive.

The artist behind it, artist Matt Furie, has stated about his unhappiness for its appropriation. Pepe was supposed to be simply an apolitical figure in this artist's universe.

Pepe debuted in comic strips in the mid-2000s – apolitical and best known for a particular bathroom habit. In a documentary, which chronicles the creator's attempt to reclaim ownership of his work, he explained the character came from his life with companions.

When he began, the artist tried uploading his work to early internet platforms, where people online began to borrow, remix and reinvent the frog. When the meme proliferated into the more extreme corners of the internet, Mr Furie sought to reject the frog, including ending its life in a comic strip.

But Pepe lived on.

"This demonstrates that we don't control symbols," explains Prof Bogad. "They can change and shift and be reclaimed."

Until recently, the association of this meme meant that amphibian imagery 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 an immigration officer in Portland spread rapidly online.

This incident occurred shortly after a decision to send the National Guard to Portland, which was called "war-ravaged". Demonstrators began to assemble in large numbers outside a facility, near an ICE office.

Tensions were high and an immigration officer used irritant at the individual, targeting the opening of the inflatable suit.

Seth Todd, the man in the costume, responded with a joke, saying he had tasted "spicier tamales". Yet the footage spread everywhere.

Mr Todd's attire fit right in for Portland, known for its eccentric vibe and activist demonstrations that revel 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 contended the deployment was illegal.

Although a judge decided that month that the administration had the right to send personnel, a dissenting judge wrote, referencing in her ruling demonstrators' "known tendency for wearing chicken suits while voicing their disagreement."

"It is easy to see the court's opinion, which adopts the description of Portland as a war zone, as merely absurd," Judge Susan Graber opined. "But today's decision has serious implications."

The order was "permanently" blocked just a month later, and troops are said to have left the city.

Yet already, the amphibian costume had transformed into a significant anti-administration symbol for progressive movements.

The costume was seen nationwide at No Kings protests that fall. There were frogs – along with other creatures – in San Diego and Atlanta and Boston. They were in small towns and big international cities abroad.

This item was in high demand on online retailers, and rose in price.

Shaping the Narrative

The link between both frogs together – lies in the dynamic between the humorous, benign cartoon and a deeper political meaning. This is what "tactical frivolity."

The tactic relies on what the professor calls the "irresistible image" – frequently absurd, it acts as a "disarming and charming" act that highlights a message without needing explicitly stating them. It's the silly outfit you wear, or the meme you share.

The professor is both an expert in the subject and someone who uses these tactics. He authored a book called 'Tactical Performance', and taught workshops around the world.

"One can look back to historical periods – when people are dominated, they use absurdity to speak the truth a little bit and still have plausible deniability."

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

As protesters confront authority, humorous attire {takes control of|seizes|influences