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This revolution may not be broadcast, but it could have webbed feet and bulging eyes.

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

While demonstrations against the government carry on in US cities, demonstrators have embraced the vibe of a neighborhood dress-up party. They've provided salsa lessons, handed out snacks, and ridden unicycles, as officers look on.

Blending humour and political action – an approach experts refer to as "tactical frivolity" – isn't novel. But it has become a hallmark of American protest in recent years, used by various groups.

And one symbol has proven to be especially powerful – the frog. It originated after a video of a confrontation between a protester in an amphibian costume and immigration enforcement agents in the city of Portland, went viral. And it has since spread to demonstrations across the country.

"There's a lot happening with that small frog costume," says a professor, who teaches at University of California, Davis and a Guggenheim Fellow who specialises in political performance.

The Path From the Pepe Meme to the Streets of Portland

It's challenging to talk about protests and frogs without talking about Pepe, an illustrated figure co-opted by far-right groups throughout an election cycle.

As the character gained popularity on the internet, its purpose was to express certain emotions. Later, it was deployed to endorse a political figure, even a particular image retweeted by that figure personally, portraying the frog with a signature suit and hair.

Pepe was also depicted in digital spaces in darker contexts, portrayed as a hate group member. Participants traded "unique frog images" and established cryptocurrency in his name. His catchphrase, "that feels good", was deployed an inside joke.

But the character did not originate this divisive.

Its creator, artist Matt Furie, has expressed about his disapproval for how the image has been used. His creation was meant as simply a "chill frog-dude" in his series.

Pepe debuted in comic strips in 2005 – non-political and notable for a particular bathroom habit. A film, which follows Mr Furie's efforts to take back of his creation, he stated the character was inspired by his time with friends and roommates.

Early in his career, the artist experimented with sharing his art to early internet platforms, where other users began to borrow, remix and reinvent the frog. As its popularity grew into darker parts of the internet, the creator attempted to distance himself from the frog, even killing him off in a final panel.

However, its legacy continued.

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

Until recently, the notoriety of Pepe resulted in amphibian imagery were largely associated with the right. This shifted in early October, when a viral moment between a protestor wearing an inflatable frog costume and a federal agent in Portland, Oregon captured global attention.

This incident occurred shortly after a directive to deploy military personnel to the city, which was called "a warzone". Protesters began to gather in droves on a single block, near an ICE office.

Tensions were high and a officer sprayed a chemical agent at a protester, targeting the opening of the inflatable suit.

Seth Todd, the man in the costume, responded with a joke, remarking he had tasted "something milder". However, the video spread everywhere.

Mr Todd's attire fit right in for the city, famous for its unconventional spirit and activist demonstrations that delight in the ridiculous – outdoor exercise, 80s-style aerobics lessons, and nude cycling groups. The city's unofficial motto is "Keep Portland Weird."

The frog was also referenced in a lawsuit between the federal government and the city, which argued the use of troops was illegal.

Although the court ruled in October that the administration had the right to deploy troops, a dissenting judge wrote, noting in her opinion the protesters' "well-known penchant for donning inflatable costumes while voicing opposition."

"Observers may be tempted the majority's ruling, which accepts the government's characterization as a war zone, as simply ridiculous," Judge Susan Graber opined. "Yet the outcome has serious implications."

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

However, by that time, the frog had transformed into a significant anti-administration symbol for progressive movements.

The costume was seen in many cities at No Kings protests that fall. 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.

This item was in high demand on major websites, and rose in price.

Controlling the Optics

What connects both frogs together – is the interplay between the humorous, benign cartoon and a deeper political meaning. This is what "tactical frivolity."

The tactic is based on what Mr Bogad calls a "disarming display" – often silly, it acts as a "disarming and charming" performance that draws focus to your ideas without needing obviously explaining them. It's the goofy costume you wear, or the symbol you share.

The professor is an analyst in the subject and a veteran practitioner. He's written a text on the subject, and led seminars internationally.

"You could go back to the Middle Ages – when people are dominated, they use absurdity to speak the truth indirectly and while maintaining a layer of protection."

The idea of such tactics is three-fold, Mr Bogad says.

When activists confront the state, a silly costume {takes control of|seizes|influences