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The revolution isn't televised, though it may feature webbed feet and bulging eyes.

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

Whilst protests against the government persist in American cities, protesters are utilizing the vibe of a community costume parade. They've provided dance instruction, handed out snacks, and performed on unicycles, as officers watch.

Blending levity and politics – a strategy researchers term "tactical frivolity" – has historical precedent. But it has become a signature characteristic of US demonstrations in this period, embraced by all sides of the political spectrum.

A specific icon has risen to become especially powerful – the frog. It began when recordings of an encounter between an individual in an amphibian costume and federal officers in Portland, Oregon, spread online. It subsequently appeared to protests nationwide.

"There is much happening with that little inflatable frog," notes an expert, who teaches at University of California, Davis and an academic who focuses on political performance.

From the Pepe Meme to the Streets of Portland

It's hard to examine protests and frogs without addressing Pepe, an illustrated figure embraced by extremist movements during a previous presidential campaign.

Initially, when the meme gained popularity on the internet, people used it to signal certain emotions. Later, it was utilized to express backing for a candidate, even a particular image shared by that figure personally, showing the frog with recognizable attire and hairstyle.

The frog was also portrayed in certain internet forums in offensive ways, as a historical dictator. Users traded "unique frog images" and set up cryptocurrency in his name. His catchphrase, "feels good, man", was used a coded signal.

However Pepe didn't start out this divisive.

The artist behind it, artist Matt Furie, has expressed about his distaste for how the image has been used. Pepe was supposed to be simply a relaxed amphibian in his comic world.

The frog first appeared in a series of comics in 2005 – apolitical and notable for a particular bathroom habit. A film, which documents the creator's attempt to wrest back control of his work, he said the character was inspired by his time with friends and roommates.

As he started out, the artist experimented with uploading his work to the nascent social web, where the community began to copy, alter, and reinterpret his character. As Pepe spread into fringe areas of online spaces, the creator sought to reject his creation, including ending its life in a final panel.

However, its legacy continued.

"It shows that we don't control imagery," says Prof Bogad. "They can change and shift and be reworked."

For a long time, the notoriety of Pepe resulted in amphibian imagery became a symbol for conservative politics. This shifted recently, when an incident between an activist wearing an inflatable frog costume and a federal agent in Portland spread rapidly online.

This incident followed a directive to send military personnel to Portland, which was called "a warzone". Demonstrators began to congregate on a single block, near a federal building.

Emotions ran high and a officer deployed irritant at a protester, aiming directly into the opening of the puffy frog costume.

The individual, the man in the costume, responded with a joke, saying it tasted like "something milder". But the incident went viral.

Mr Todd's attire was not too unusual for Portland, famous for its quirky culture and left-wing protests that delight in the ridiculous – public yoga, retro fitness classes, and nude cycling groups. Its creed is "Keep Portland Weird."

This symbol even played a role in a lawsuit between the federal government and the city, which argued the use of troops was illegal.

While a ruling was issued in October that the president was within its rights to deploy troops, one judge dissented, referencing in her ruling demonstrators' "known tendency for donning inflatable costumes when expressing dissent."

"Some might view the majority's ruling, which adopts the description of Portland as a war zone, as simply ridiculous," the dissenting judge wrote. "However, this ruling has serious implications."

The deployment was "permanently" blocked just a month later, and personnel have reportedly departed the city.

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

This symbol was spotted in many cities at No Kings protests that fall. Amphibian costumes were present – along with other creatures – in major US cities. They were in small towns and global metropolises abroad.

The inflatable suit was sold out on online retailers, and became more expensive.

Controlling the Narrative

The link between both frogs together – lies in the interplay between the silly, innocent image and a deeper political meaning. Experts call this "tactical frivolity."

The strategy is based on what the professor calls the "irresistible image" – often silly, it acts as a "appealing and non-threatening" display that calls attention to your ideas without needing directly articulating them. It's the unusual prop you wear, or the symbol circulated.

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

"One can look back to historical periods – under oppressive regimes, they use absurdity to express dissent indirectly and while maintaining a layer of protection."

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

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