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The revolution isn't broadcast, yet it might possess amphibious toes and bulging eyes.

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

Whilst rallies opposing the administration continue in American cities, protesters have embraced the vibe of a neighborhood dress-up party. They have taught dance instruction, given away snacks, and performed on unicycles, as officers observe.

Combining comedy and politics – a strategy social scientists refer to as "tactical frivolity" – has historical precedent. Yet it has transformed into a hallmark of protests in the United States in recent years, embraced by both left and right.

And one symbol has proven to be particularly salient – the frog. It started when a video of an encounter between an individual in an amphibian costume and federal officers in the city of Portland, went viral. And it has since spread to rallies across the country.

"There is much happening with that small frog costume," says LM Bogad, who teaches at University of California, Davis and an academic who focuses on creative activism.

From a Cartoon Frog to the Streets of Portland

It's hard to discuss protests and frogs without talking about Pepe, a cartoon character adopted by far-right groups during a political race.

As the meme first took off online, its purpose was to convey certain emotions. Afterwards, its use evolved to show support for a candidate, including a particular image endorsed by the candidate personally, portraying Pepe with a signature suit and hair.

Images also circulated in right-wing online communities in offensive ways, portrayed as a hate group member. Users exchanged "unique frog images" and established digital currency using its likeness. Its famous line, "feels good, man", was deployed a coded signal.

But the character did not originate this divisive.

Its creator, the illustrator, has expressed about his disapproval for its co-option. His creation was meant as simply a relaxed amphibian in his series.

This character debuted in an online comic in the mid-2000s – non-political and notable for a particular bathroom habit. In a documentary, which documents the creator's attempt to wrest back control of his work, he stated his drawing was inspired by his life with companions.

As he started out, Mr Furie tried sharing his art to the nascent social web, where people online began to copy, alter, and reinterpret the frog. As Pepe spread into fringe areas of online spaces, Mr Furie attempted to distance himself from his creation, including ending its life in a comic strip.

However, its legacy continued.

"This demonstrates that creators cannot own symbols," explains Prof Bogad. "Their meaning can evolve and be reclaimed."

For a long time, the popularity of this meme resulted in frogs were predominantly linked to conservative politics. A transformation occurred in early October, when a confrontation between an activist wearing an inflatable frog costume and an immigration officer in Portland spread rapidly online.

The moment occurred shortly after an order to send the National Guard to the city, which was called "a warzone". Protesters began to gather in droves at a specific location, just outside of an immigration enforcement facility.

The situation was tense and a officer used a chemical agent at a protester, targeting the ventilation of the inflatable suit.

The individual, Seth Todd, responded with a joke, saying he had tasted "spicier tamales". But the incident went viral.

Mr Todd's attire fit right in for Portland, renowned for its unconventional spirit and activist demonstrations that embrace the absurd – public yoga, 80s-style aerobics lessons, and nude cycling groups. The city's unofficial motto is "Keep Portland Weird."

This symbol even played a role in the ensuing legal battle between the federal government and Portland, which contended the deployment was unlawful.

Although a judge decided in October that the administration had the right to deploy troops, one judge dissented, referencing in her ruling the protesters' "known tendency for wearing chicken suits while voicing dissent."

"It is easy to see this decision, which accepts the government's characterization as a war zone, as simply ridiculous," she stated. "Yet the outcome goes beyond absurdity."

The action was halted by courts just a month later, and troops are said to have left the city.

However, by that time, the frog was now a potent anti-administration symbol for progressive movements.

The costume appeared in many cities at No Kings protests last autumn. Amphibian costumes were present – along with other creatures – in San Diego and Atlanta and Boston. They were in rural communities and global metropolises like Tokyo and London.

The inflatable suit was backordered on online retailers, and rose in price.

Controlling the Visual Story

What connects the two amphibian symbols – lies in the dynamic between the silly, innocent image and underlying political significance. Experts call this "tactical frivolity."

This approach is based on what Mr Bogad calls the "irresistible image" – usually humorous, it's a "disarming and charming" act that calls attention to your ideas without explicitly stating them. This is the unusual prop used, or the symbol circulated.

The professor is an analyst in the subject and a veteran practitioner. He's written a book called 'Tactical Performance', and led seminars around the world.

"One can look back to the Middle Ages – when people are dominated, they use absurdity to express dissent a little bit and still have a layer of protection."

The purpose of this approach is three-fold, Mr Bogad says.

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