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The revolution isn't televised, yet it might possess amphibious toes and large eyes.

Furthermore, it may involve the horn of a unicorn or the plumage of a chicken.

Whilst rallies opposing the administration persist in American cities, demonstrators are adopting the vibe of a local block party. They have taught dance instruction, given away snacks, and ridden unicycles, while officers observe.

Blending comedy and political action – a tactic social scientists refer to as "tactical frivolity" – is not new. Yet it has transformed into a hallmark of American protest in the current era, embraced by all sides of the political spectrum.

One particular emblem has risen to become especially powerful – the frog. It began when a video of a confrontation between a man in an inflatable frog and immigration enforcement agents in the city of Portland, went viral. It subsequently appeared to protests nationwide.

"There is much happening with that little inflatable frog," notes a professor, a professor at UC Davis and a Guggenheim Fellow who specialises in political performance.

The Path From Pepe to Portland

It's hard to talk about demonstrations and amphibians without mentioning Pepe, a cartoon character adopted by far-right groups during a previous presidential campaign.

Initially, when this image first took off online, its purpose was to signal certain emotions. Afterwards, it was utilized to express backing for a candidate, even one notable meme retweeted by that figure himself, showing the frog with a signature suit and hair.

The frog was also portrayed in certain internet forums in darker contexts, as a historical dictator. Online conservatives traded "unique frog images" and established digital currency using its likeness. Its famous line, "feels good, man", was used a coded signal.

But the character did not originate as a political symbol.

The artist behind it, artist Matt Furie, has expressed about his distaste for its co-option. His creation was meant as simply an apolitical figure in his comic world.

The frog first appeared in a series of comics in 2005 – apolitical and famous for a quirky behavior. In 'Feels Good Man', which documents Mr Furie's efforts to reclaim ownership of his creation, he stated his drawing came from his time with companions.

When he began, the artist experimented with sharing his art to early internet platforms, where people online began to borrow, remix and reinvent the frog. As its popularity grew into the more extreme corners of online spaces, Mr Furie sought to reject the frog, even killing him off in a comic strip.

But Pepe lived on.

"It shows that we don't control imagery," explains Prof Bogad. "Their meaning can evolve and be reclaimed."

For a long time, the popularity of Pepe meant that frogs became a symbol for the right. A transformation occurred recently, when an incident between an activist dressed in a blow-up amphibian suit and a federal agent in Portland, Oregon captured global attention.

The event occurred shortly after a directive to deploy military personnel to Portland, which was described as "war-ravaged". Protesters began to congregate outside a facility, just outside of an ICE office.

The situation was tense and a officer deployed a chemical agent at the individual, targeting the ventilation of the costume.

The protester, the man in the costume, responded with a joke, saying he had tasted "spicier tamales". However, the video went viral.

The costume was somewhat typical for the city, famous for its quirky culture and left-wing protests that embrace the ridiculous – outdoor exercise, retro fitness classes, and nude cycling groups. The city's unofficial motto is "Keep Portland Weird."

The frog was also referenced in the ensuing legal battle between the federal government and the city, which claimed the use of troops overstepped authority.

Although the court ruled that month that the administration had the right to send personnel, one judge dissented, noting in her opinion demonstrators' "propensity for using unusual attire when expressing their disagreement."

"It is easy to see the court's opinion, which adopts the description of Portland as a war zone, as simply ridiculous," Judge Susan Graber wrote. "Yet the outcome goes beyond absurdity."

The action was halted by courts subsequently, and troops withdrew from the area.

However, by that time, the amphibian costume was now a powerful symbol of resistance for the left.

This symbol appeared nationwide at No Kings protests that fall. There were frogs – along with other creatures – in San Diego and Atlanta and Boston. They appeared in rural communities and global metropolises abroad.

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

Mastering the Optics

What connects both frogs together – lies in the dynamic between the humorous, benign cartoon and underlying political significance. This concept is "tactical frivolity."

This approach is based on what Mr Bogad calls the "irresistible image" – frequently absurd, it's a "appealing and non-threatening" performance that draws focus to your ideas without directly articulating them. It's the goofy costume you wear, or the meme circulated.

Mr Bogad is both an expert in the subject and someone who uses these tactics. He's written a book on the subject, and taught workshops around the world.

"One can look back to historical periods – under oppressive regimes, absurd humor is used to express dissent a little bit and still have plausible deniability."

The theory of such tactics is three-fold, he says.

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