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This protest movement won't be broadcast, yet it might possess amphibious toes and large eyes.

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

As rallies opposing the administration continue in American cities, participants are adopting the spirit of a local block party. They've offered dance instruction, distributed snacks, and performed on unicycles, as officers observe.

Mixing comedy and political action – a strategy researchers call "tactical frivolity" – isn't novel. But it has become a signature characteristic of American protest in the current era, used by all sides of the political spectrum.

And one symbol has emerged as particularly salient – the frog. It originated when recordings of a confrontation between an individual in a frog suit and ICE agents in the city of Portland, went viral. And it has since spread to rallies throughout the United States.

"There is much going on with that small frog costume," states an expert, who teaches at UC Davis and a Guggenheim Fellow who studies creative activism.

From a Cartoon Frog to the Streets of Portland

It's challenging to talk about demonstrations and amphibians without mentioning Pepe, an illustrated figure co-opted by far-right groups during a previous presidential campaign.

Initially, when the character initially spread online, it was used to express certain emotions. Afterwards, it was deployed to express backing for a candidate, including a particular image retweeted by that figure himself, showing Pepe with recognizable attire and hairstyle.

The frog was also portrayed in right-wing online communities in darker contexts, as a hate group member. Participants exchanged "unique frog images" and set up digital currency using its likeness. Its famous line, "that feels good", was deployed an inside joke.

But its beginnings were not this divisive.

The artist behind it, artist Matt Furie, has expressed about his disapproval for its co-option. Pepe was supposed to be simply a relaxed amphibian in his comic world.

Pepe debuted in a series of comics in 2005 – non-political and best known for a quirky behavior. In a documentary, which chronicles Mr Furie's efforts to wrest back control of his creation, he said the character was inspired by his experiences with companions.

As he started out, the artist experimented with uploading his work to the nascent social web, where the community began to borrow, remix and reinvent his character. When the meme proliferated into darker parts of the internet, Mr Furie attempted to distance himself from his creation, including ending its life in a final panel.

But Pepe lived on.

"It shows the lack of control over symbols," explains the professor. "Their meaning can evolve and be reclaimed."

For a long time, the popularity of Pepe resulted in frogs were predominantly linked to the right. This shifted recently, when a confrontation between an activist dressed in a blow-up amphibian suit and a federal agent in Portland captured global attention.

The event came just days after a decision to send military personnel to Portland, which was called "a warzone". Protesters began to gather in droves at a specific location, just outside of an immigration enforcement facility.

The situation was tense and an immigration officer used a chemical agent at a protester, directing it into the opening of the inflatable suit.

The protester, Seth Todd, reacted humorously, saying it tasted like "spicier tamales". However, the video spread everywhere.

The frog suit was somewhat typical for Portland, famous for its quirky culture and activist demonstrations that embrace the unusual – public yoga, retro fitness classes, and unique parades. Its creed is "Embrace the Strange."

This symbol was also referenced in a lawsuit between the administration and the city, which claimed the deployment overstepped authority.

Although a ruling was issued that month that the president had the right to deploy troops, a minority opinion disagreed, noting in her opinion the protesters' "well-known penchant for wearing chicken suits while voicing opposition."

"Observers may be tempted the court's opinion, which accepts the government's characterization as a battlefield, as simply ridiculous," she opined. "However, this ruling goes beyond absurdity."

The order was "permanently" blocked just a month later, and troops withdrew from the city.

But by then, the amphibian costume was now a significant anti-administration symbol for progressive movements.

The costume was spotted nationwide at No Kings protests recently. Frogs appeared – along with other creatures – in San Diego and Atlanta and Boston. They were in small towns and big international cities abroad.

The frog costume was in high demand on online retailers, and saw its cost increase.

Mastering the Visual Story

What connects the two amphibian symbols – is the dynamic between the humorous, benign cartoon and serious intent. This concept is "tactical frivolity."

This approach relies on what Mr Bogad calls the "irresistible image" – frequently absurd, it acts as a "disarming and charming" act that draws focus to your ideas without explicitly stating them. This is the goofy costume used, or the symbol you share.

The professor is both an expert in the subject and someone who uses these tactics. He authored a text on the subject, and led seminars around the world.

"One can look back to the Middle Ages – under oppressive regimes, they use absurdity to speak the truth a little bit and still have plausible deniability."

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

As activists confront the state, humorous attire {takes control of|seizes|influences