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The resistance won't be broadcast, but it could have amphibious toes and large eyes.

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

As protests opposing the leadership persist in American cities, participants are adopting the energy of a neighborhood dress-up party. They have taught dance instruction, given away treats, and performed on unicycles, while police watch.

Blending levity and politics – a tactic experts refer to as "tactical frivolity" – has historical precedent. But it has become a signature characteristic of American protest in the current era, embraced by all sides of the political spectrum.

A specific icon has emerged as notably significant – the frog. It originated after recordings of an encounter between an individual in an inflatable frog and ICE agents in the city of Portland, went viral. From there, it proliferated to protests throughout the United States.

"There is much happening with that small frog costume," says a professor, a professor at UC Davis and an academic who studies political performance.

The Path From the Pepe Meme to the Streets of Portland

It's challenging to discuss protests and frogs without talking about Pepe, a cartoon character co-opted by online communities during a political race.

As this image gained popularity on the internet, its purpose was to convey certain emotions. Afterwards, it was utilized to show support for a political figure, including one notable meme shared by that figure personally, showing Pepe with recognizable attire and hairstyle.

Images also circulated in certain internet forums in darker contexts, as a historical dictator. Online conservatives exchanged "rare Pepes" and established cryptocurrency in his name. Its famous line, "feels good, man", was used an inside joke.

However its beginnings were not as a political symbol.

The artist behind it, the illustrator, has expressed about his disapproval for its appropriation. Pepe was supposed to be simply an apolitical figure in his comic world.

Pepe first appeared in a series of comics in the mid-2000s – non-political and famous for a quirky behavior. In a documentary, which follows Mr Furie's efforts to take back of his creation, he stated his drawing was inspired by his life with companions.

Early in his career, Mr Furie tried sharing his art to new websites, where people online began to borrow, remix and reinvent the frog. As its popularity grew into fringe areas of the internet, the creator tried to disavow his creation, including ending its life in a comic strip.

Yet the frog persisted.

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

For a long time, the notoriety of this meme resulted in frogs were predominantly linked to conservative politics. A transformation occurred on a day in October, when a confrontation between a protestor wearing an inflatable frog costume and a federal agent in Portland captured global attention.

The moment came just days after a directive to deploy the National Guard to Portland, which was described as "a warzone". Demonstrators began to gather in droves on a single block, near a federal building.

Tensions were high and an agent sprayed irritant at the individual, aiming directly into the air intake fan of the costume.

The protester, the man in the costume, quipped, stating it tasted like "spicier tamales". However, the video spread everywhere.

Mr Todd's attire was somewhat typical for the city, famous for its quirky culture and activist demonstrations that embrace the ridiculous – public yoga, retro fitness classes, and nude cycling groups. The city's unofficial motto is "Embrace the Strange."

This symbol was also referenced in the ensuing legal battle between the federal government and the city, which claimed the use of troops was unlawful.

Although a ruling was issued in October that the president had the right to deploy troops, a minority opinion disagreed, noting in her opinion the protesters' "well-known penchant for donning inflatable costumes when expressing opposition."

"Observers may be tempted this decision, which adopts the government's characterization as a battlefield, as merely absurd," the dissenting judge stated. "But today's decision goes beyond absurdity."

The order was halted by courts subsequently, and troops are said to have left the area.

However, by that time, the amphibian costume was now a significant protest icon for progressive movements.

This symbol was seen in many cities at anti-authoritarian protests that fall. There were frogs – and unicorns and axolotls and dinosaurs – in San Diego and Atlanta and Boston. They were in small towns and big international cities abroad.

This item was sold out on online retailers, and became more expensive.

Controlling the Visual Story

The link between both frogs together – is the relationship between the silly, innocent image and a deeper political meaning. This concept is "tactical frivolity."

The tactic relies on what the professor terms a "disarming display" – usually humorous, it acts as a "appealing and non-threatening" display that draws focus to your ideas without explicitly stating them. It's the goofy costume you wear, or the symbol circulated.

Mr Bogad is an analyst in the subject and someone who uses these tactics. He authored a book on the subject, and taught workshops around the world.

"One can look back to the Middle Ages – when people are dominated, absurd humor is used to speak the truth a little bit and still have plausible deniability."

The theory of such tactics is three-fold, Mr Bogad explains.

When protesters confront a powerful opposition, a silly costume {takes control of|seizes|influences