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The resistance isn't broadcast, yet it might possess webbed feet and bulging eyes.

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

Whilst protests opposing the leadership carry on in American cities, demonstrators have embraced the energy of a community costume parade. They have taught dance instruction, given away treats, and performed on unicycles, while armed law enforcement observe.

Combining levity and politics – a tactic social scientists term "tactical frivolity" – isn't novel. But it has become a signature characteristic of American protest in the current era, embraced by various groups.

And one symbol has proven to be notably significant – the frog. It started when a video of an encounter between an individual in a frog suit and immigration enforcement agents in Portland, Oregon, went viral. From there, it proliferated to protests across the country.

"A great deal happening with that little frog costume," says an expert, who teaches at University of California, Davis and a Guggenheim Fellow who specialises in political performance.

From a Cartoon Frog to Portland

It is difficult to discuss demonstrations and amphibians without talking about Pepe, a web comic frog embraced by online communities during a previous presidential campaign.

When the character initially spread online, its purpose was to convey certain emotions. Afterwards, it was deployed to endorse a candidate, even one notable meme retweeted by the candidate himself, showing Pepe with a signature suit and hair.

Images also circulated in digital spaces in darker contexts, as a hate group member. Users traded "unique frog images" and set up cryptocurrency in his name. Its famous line, "feels good, man", was deployed a coded signal.

Yet the character did not originate this divisive.

Its creator, artist Matt Furie, has expressed about his distaste for how the image has been used. Pepe was supposed to be simply a "chill frog-dude" in this artist's universe.

This character debuted in an online comic in 2005 – apolitical and famous for a quirky behavior. In 'Feels Good Man', which follows Mr Furie's efforts to take back of his work, he stated the character came from his time with friends and roommates.

As he started out, Mr Furie tried uploading his work to the nascent social web, where other users began to copy, alter, and reinterpret the frog. As Pepe spread into the more extreme corners of online spaces, the creator tried to disavow his creation, including ending its life in a final panel.

However, its legacy continued.

"This demonstrates that we don't control icons," states Prof Bogad. "They can change and shift and be repurposed."

For a long time, the popularity of this meme meant that amphibian imagery were predominantly linked to conservative politics. But that changed recently, when a viral moment between a protestor wearing an inflatable frog costume and a federal agent in Portland, Oregon spread rapidly online.

This incident came just days after a decision to deploy military personnel to Portland, which was described as "a warzone". Activists began to congregate at a specific location, just outside of an ICE office.

Emotions ran high and a officer deployed pepper spray at the individual, aiming directly into the air intake fan of the inflatable suit.

Seth Todd, the man in the costume, quipped, stating it tasted like "something milder". But the incident spread everywhere.

Mr Todd's attire was not too unusual for the city, renowned for its eccentric vibe and activist demonstrations that delight in the unusual – public yoga, 80s-style aerobics lessons, and unique parades. A local saying is "Keep Portland Weird."

This symbol became part of in the ensuing legal battle between the federal government and Portland, which contended the deployment was illegal.

While a judge decided that month that the administration was within its rights to send personnel, one judge dissented, referencing in her ruling demonstrators' "well-known penchant for wearing chicken suits when expressing dissent."

"Some might view this decision, which adopts the government's characterization as a war zone, as merely absurd," Judge Susan Graber stated. "Yet the outcome has serious implications."

The order was halted by courts soon after, and personnel have reportedly departed the area.

Yet already, the amphibian costume had transformed into a potent symbol of resistance for the left.

The inflatable suit appeared nationwide at No Kings protests last autumn. Amphibian costumes were present – along with other creatures – in major US cities. They were in rural communities and big international cities abroad.

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

Shaping the Narrative

What brings Pepe and the protest frog – is the relationship between the humorous, benign cartoon and serious intent. This is what "tactical frivolity."

This approach is based on what Mr Bogad terms a "disarming display" – often silly, it's a "disarming and charming" display that draws focus to your ideas without directly articulating them. This is the goofy costume used, or the meme you share.

The professor is an analyst on this topic and an experienced participant. He authored a text called 'Tactical Performance', and taught workshops 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 theory of this approach is three-fold, he explains.

As protesters take on authority, a silly costume {takes control of|seizes|influences