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This revolution won't be televised, but it could have webbed feet and bulging eyes.

It also might feature a unicorn's horn or a chicken's feathers.

Whilst rallies against the government continue in American cities, protesters are utilizing the vibe of a neighborhood dress-up party. They've offered dance instruction, given away treats, and performed on unicycles, as officers watch.

Blending humour and politics – an approach experts term "tactical frivolity" – is not new. However, it has emerged as a hallmark of American protest in recent years, embraced by all sides of the political spectrum.

And one symbol has risen to become particularly salient – the frog. It began after recordings of a clash between an individual in a frog suit and immigration enforcement agents in Portland, Oregon, spread online. From there, it proliferated to demonstrations across the country.

"There is much going on with that humble blow-up amphibian," states an expert, a professor at UC Davis and an academic who focuses on performance art.

From the Pepe Meme to the Streets of Portland

It's hard to examine demonstrations and amphibians without talking about Pepe, an illustrated figure co-opted by extremist movements during a previous presidential campaign.

When the meme gained popularity on the internet, it was used to signal specific feelings. Subsequently, its use evolved to show support for a candidate, including one notable meme shared by the candidate personally, showing Pepe with a signature suit and hair.

Images also circulated in certain internet forums in darker contexts, portrayed as a historical dictator. Users traded "rare Pepes" and established cryptocurrency using its likeness. His catchphrase, "feels good, man", was used a shared phrase.

Yet the character did not originate so controversial.

Its creator, the illustrator, has stated about his disapproval for its appropriation. His creation was meant as simply a relaxed amphibian in his comic world.

Pepe debuted in comic strips in 2005 – non-political and notable for a quirky behavior. In a documentary, which chronicles Mr Furie's efforts to take back of his creation, he said his drawing was inspired by his time with friends and roommates.

As he started out, Mr Furie experimented with uploading his work to early internet platforms, where people online began to copy, alter, and reinterpret the frog. As its popularity grew into the more extreme corners of the internet, Mr Furie sought to reject the frog, even killing him off in a comic strip.

However, its legacy continued.

"This demonstrates that creators cannot own symbols," says the professor. "Their meaning can evolve and be reclaimed."

For a long time, the notoriety of this meme resulted in frogs were largely associated with the right. But that changed recently, when a viral moment between an activist wearing an inflatable frog costume and a federal agent in Portland captured global attention.

This incident occurred shortly after a decision to send military personnel to Portland, which was described as "war-ravaged". Protesters began to congregate outside a facility, just outside of an ICE office.

Tensions were high and an immigration officer sprayed a chemical agent at the individual, directing it into the opening of the puffy frog costume.

The protester, Seth Todd, reacted humorously, stating it tasted like "something milder". But the incident went viral.

The costume fit right in for the city, renowned for its eccentric vibe and left-wing protests that embrace the ridiculous – public yoga, 80s-style aerobics lessons, and nude cycling groups. A local saying is "Embrace the Strange."

This symbol was also referenced in a lawsuit between the administration and the city, which claimed the use of troops was unlawful.

Although a judge decided in October that the president had the right to deploy troops, a dissenting judge wrote, mentioning demonstrators' "known tendency for donning inflatable costumes while voicing opposition."

"Some might view the majority's ruling, which adopts the description of Portland as a battlefield, as merely absurd," she stated. "But today's decision has serious implications."

The order was "permanently" blocked soon after, and personnel have reportedly departed the city.

Yet already, the amphibian costume was now a potent anti-administration symbol for the left.

The inflatable suit was seen in many cities at anti-authoritarian protests that fall. There were frogs – and unicorns and axolotls and dinosaurs – in major US cities. They were in small towns and global metropolises like Tokyo and London.

The inflatable suit was sold out on major websites, and saw its cost increase.

Mastering the Optics

What connects the two amphibian symbols – lies in the dynamic between the silly, innocent image and underlying political significance. This is what "tactical frivolity."

The strategy is based on what the professor calls the "irresistible image" – often silly, it's a "appealing and non-threatening" performance that highlights a message without needing explicitly stating them. It's the unusual prop used, or the symbol you share.

Mr Bogad is both an expert on this topic and someone who uses these tactics. He's written a text on the subject, and taught workshops internationally.

"You could go back to historical periods – when people are dominated, absurd humor is used to speak the truth indirectly and still have a layer of protection."

The idea of such tactics is multi-faceted, Mr Bogad says.

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