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This resistance may not be televised, but it could have webbed feet and bulging eyes.

Furthermore, it may involve a unicorn's horn or a chicken's feathers.

Whilst protests opposing the government continue in American cities, demonstrators are adopting the spirit of a community costume parade. They have taught salsa lessons, distributed treats, and performed on unicycles, while officers look on.

Mixing humour and political action – a tactic researchers call "tactical frivolity" – has historical precedent. But it has become a defining feature of US demonstrations in this period, adopted by various groups.

One particular emblem has risen to become especially powerful – the frog. It began after recordings of a clash between a protester in an inflatable frog and ICE agents in the city of Portland, became an internet sensation. From there, it proliferated to demonstrations nationwide.

"A great deal going on with that little frog costume," states LM Bogad, a professor at UC Davis and an academic who focuses on political performance.

The Path From Pepe to the Streets of Portland

It's hard to talk about demonstrations and amphibians without addressing Pepe, an illustrated figure co-opted by extremist movements throughout a previous presidential campaign.

When this image gained popularity on the internet, its purpose was to signal certain emotions. Afterwards, its use evolved to express backing for a political figure, even a particular image endorsed by the candidate himself, portraying Pepe with a signature suit and hair.

The frog was also portrayed in right-wing online communities in offensive ways, as a hate group member. Participants exchanged "unique frog images" and established cryptocurrency using its likeness. Its famous line, "feels good, man", became an inside joke.

But the character did not originate so controversial.

The artist behind it, the illustrator, has been vocal about his distaste for how the image has been used. The character was intended as simply a "chill frog-dude" in his series.

This character debuted in an online comic in the mid-2000s – apolitical and notable for a quirky behavior. In 'Feels Good Man', which documents Mr Furie's efforts to wrest back control of his creation, he explained the character was inspired by his life with companions.

Early in his career, Mr Furie tried uploading his work to early internet platforms, where other users began to copy, alter, and reinterpret the frog. As Pepe spread into darker parts of online spaces, the creator attempted to distance himself from the frog, including ending its life in a comic strip.

But Pepe lived on.

"This demonstrates that we don't control icons," explains the professor. "They transform and be reworked."

Until recently, the popularity of this meme meant that amphibian imagery were predominantly linked to conservative politics. This shifted on a day in October, when a confrontation between an activist dressed in an inflatable frog costume and a federal agent in Portland, Oregon went viral.

The moment followed a decision to deploy military personnel to Portland, which was called "war-ravaged". Protesters began to gather in droves on a single block, just outside of an ICE office.

Emotions ran high and a officer used pepper spray at a protester, targeting the opening of the costume.

The protester, the man in the costume, responded with a joke, stating he had tasted "something milder". However, the video became a sensation.

Mr Todd's attire fit right in for Portland, renowned for its eccentric vibe and left-wing protests that revel in the absurd – outdoor exercise, 80s-style aerobics lessons, and unique parades. A local saying is "Embrace the Strange."

The costume became part of in a lawsuit between the federal government and the city, which claimed the use of troops was unlawful.

Although a ruling was issued in October that the administration was within its rights to send personnel, a minority opinion disagreed, mentioning demonstrators' "known tendency for wearing chicken suits while voicing their disagreement."

"Some might view the court's opinion, which adopts the government's characterization as a battlefield, as simply ridiculous," Judge Susan Graber opined. "However, this ruling has serious implications."

The action was stopped legally just a month later, and troops have reportedly departed the city.

Yet already, the frog had become a significant protest icon for progressive movements.

The costume appeared across the country at No Kings protests recently. Amphibian costumes were present – along with other creatures – in San Diego and Atlanta and Boston. They appeared in rural communities and global metropolises abroad.

The inflatable suit was sold out on major websites, and became more expensive.

Mastering the Narrative

What brings Pepe and the protest frog – is the dynamic between the silly, innocent image and a deeper political meaning. This is what "tactical frivolity."

This approach is based on what Mr Bogad calls the "irresistible image" – frequently absurd, it acts as a "disarming and charming" performance that draws focus to a message without needing explicitly stating them. It's the goofy costume you wear, or the meme circulated.

The professor is an analyst in the subject and an experienced participant. He's written a book on the subject, and taught workshops around the world.

"You could go back to historical periods – under oppressive regimes, absurd humor is used to express dissent indirectly and while maintaining a layer of protection."

The purpose of this approach is multi-faceted, Mr Bogad explains.

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