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The revolution isn't televised, though it may feature webbed feet and large eyes.

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

As rallies against the leadership continue in US cities, demonstrators are adopting the spirit of a community costume parade. They've provided salsa lessons, handed out snacks, and performed on unicycles, as police observe.

Blending levity and politics – a strategy experts term "tactical frivolity" – has historical precedent. But it has become a signature characteristic of US demonstrations in the current era, used by various groups.

And one symbol has proven to be especially powerful – the frog. It originated when video footage of a clash between an individual in an inflatable frog and ICE agents in Portland, Oregon, went viral. And it has since spread to protests across the country.

"There's a lot at play with that small inflatable frog," notes an expert, who teaches at UC Davis and a Guggenheim Fellow who studies performance art.

The Path From the Pepe Meme to Portland

It's hard to examine demonstrations and amphibians without talking about Pepe, an illustrated figure adopted by far-right groups throughout a previous presidential campaign.

When the meme initially spread online, its purpose was to express certain emotions. Later, its use evolved to express backing for a candidate, even a particular image retweeted by that figure personally, showing Pepe with recognizable attire and hairstyle.

Pepe was also depicted in certain internet forums in more extreme scenarios, as a historical dictator. Participants exchanged "rare Pepes" and established digital currency using its likeness. His catchphrase, "that feels good", became a shared phrase.

Yet the character did not originate so controversial.

Its creator, the illustrator, has stated about his distaste for how the image has been used. The character was intended as simply an apolitical figure in this artist's universe.

The frog first appeared in comic strips in 2005 – apolitical and best known for a quirky behavior. A film, which chronicles Mr Furie's efforts to wrest back control of his work, he said the character came from his time with companions.

As he started out, the artist experimented with uploading his work to new websites, where other users began to copy, alter, and reinterpret the frog. As Pepe spread into fringe areas of online spaces, Mr Furie tried to disavow the frog, even killing him off in a comic strip.

But Pepe lived on.

"It shows the lack of control over symbols," says Prof Bogad. "They can change and shift and be reworked."

Previously, the association of Pepe resulted in amphibian imagery were largely associated with conservative politics. A transformation occurred recently, when an incident between an activist dressed in an inflatable frog costume and a federal agent in Portland went viral.

The moment occurred shortly after a directive to send the National Guard to Portland, which was described as "war-ravaged". Activists began to congregate outside a facility, just outside of an immigration enforcement facility.

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

Seth Todd, the man in the costume, reacted humorously, saying he had tasted "something milder". Yet the footage became a sensation.

Mr Todd's attire was somewhat typical for Portland, known for its unconventional spirit and activist demonstrations that delight in the unusual – outdoor exercise, retro fitness classes, and nude cycling groups. Its creed is "Embrace the Strange."

The frog was also referenced in a lawsuit between the administration and Portland, which argued the deployment was illegal.

While a ruling was issued in October that the president was within its rights to deploy troops, one judge dissented, mentioning demonstrators' "well-known penchant for using unusual attire while voicing opposition."

"It is easy to see the court's opinion, which accepts the description of Portland as a battlefield, as simply ridiculous," she wrote. "But today's decision has serious implications."

The order was halted by courts subsequently, and personnel withdrew from the area.

Yet already, the frog had transformed into a significant symbol of resistance for progressive movements.

The costume appeared nationwide at No Kings protests last autumn. Amphibian costumes were present – and unicorns and axolotls and dinosaurs – in major US cities. They appeared in small towns and global metropolises like Tokyo and London.

The inflatable suit was sold out on online retailers, and saw its cost increase.

Shaping the Narrative

The link between Pepe and the protest frog – is the dynamic between the humorous, benign cartoon and underlying political significance. This concept is "tactical frivolity."

The tactic rests on what Mr Bogad terms a "disarming display" – often silly, it acts as a "appealing and non-threatening" display that calls attention to your ideas without obviously explaining them. This is the goofy costume you wear, or the symbol you share.

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

"You could go back to historical periods – under oppressive regimes, absurd humor is used to speak the truth indirectly and still have a layer of protection."

The theory of this approach is multi-faceted, Mr Bogad says.

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