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The revolution won't be televised, but it could have amphibious toes and bulging eyes.

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

While demonstrations opposing the government persist in American cities, protesters are adopting the vibe of a local block party. They've provided dance instruction, given away treats, and performed on unicycles, while officers watch.

Combining comedy and political action – a tactic social scientists refer to as "tactical frivolity" – has historical precedent. However, it has emerged as a signature characteristic of US demonstrations in recent years, adopted by both left and right.

One particular emblem has risen to become particularly salient – the frog. It originated when recordings of a confrontation between a man in an inflatable frog and federal officers in the city of Portland, went viral. It subsequently appeared to rallies across the country.

"There's a lot at play with that small inflatable frog," states an expert, who teaches at University of California, Davis and a Guggenheim Fellow who studies political performance.

The Path From Pepe to the Streets of Portland

It is difficult to talk about protests and frogs without talking about Pepe, a web comic frog co-opted by online communities during a previous presidential campaign.

Initially, when the character gained popularity on the internet, it was used to convey certain emotions. Later, it was deployed to express backing for a candidate, even a particular image retweeted by the candidate himself, depicting Pepe with recognizable attire and hairstyle.

Pepe was also depicted in certain internet forums in offensive ways, as a historical dictator. Users traded "unique frog images" and set up digital currency in his name. His catchphrase, "feels good, man", became a coded signal.

But the character did not originate so controversial.

Matt Furie, artist Matt Furie, has stated about his distaste for its appropriation. Pepe was supposed to be simply an apolitical figure in this artist's universe.

The frog first appeared in an online comic in the mid-2000s – apolitical and famous for a particular bathroom habit. In 'Feels Good Man', which documents Mr Furie's efforts to take back of his creation, he stated the character came from his life with companions.

Early in his career, the artist tried sharing his art to early internet platforms, where people online began to copy, alter, and reinterpret the frog. As Pepe spread into the more extreme corners of online spaces, the creator sought to reject the frog, even killing him off in a comic strip.

However, its legacy continued.

"This demonstrates the lack of control over imagery," says Prof Bogad. "They can change and shift and be repurposed."

For a long time, the association of Pepe resulted in frogs were predominantly linked to conservative politics. A transformation occurred recently, when an incident between an activist dressed in a blow-up amphibian suit and a federal agent in Portland went viral.

The event occurred shortly after a decision to send the National Guard to Portland, which was described as "a warzone". Activists began to assemble in large numbers on a single block, just outside of an immigration enforcement facility.

The situation was tense and a officer used a chemical agent at a protester, aiming directly into the air intake fan of the puffy frog costume.

Seth Todd, the man in the costume, reacted humorously, stating it tasted like "something milder". Yet the footage spread everywhere.

The frog suit was somewhat typical for Portland, famous for its quirky culture and left-wing protests that delight in the ridiculous – outdoor exercise, 80s-style aerobics lessons, and unique parades. The city's unofficial motto is "Keep Portland Weird."

This symbol became part of in a lawsuit between the administration and Portland, which contended the use of troops was illegal.

While a judge decided in October that the president was within its rights to deploy troops, one judge dissented, mentioning the protesters' "known tendency for donning inflatable costumes while voicing opposition."

"Some might view the court's opinion, which accepts the government's characterization as a war zone, as merely absurd," the dissenting judge stated. "However, this ruling is not merely absurd."

The order was "permanently" blocked just a month later, and personnel have reportedly departed the city.

However, by that time, the amphibian costume had transformed into a significant protest icon for progressive movements.

This symbol was seen in many cities at anti-authoritarian protests last autumn. Amphibian costumes were present – along with other creatures – in major US cities. They were in rural communities and big international cities like Tokyo and London.

The inflatable suit was in high demand on online retailers, and became more expensive.

Controlling the Optics

The link between the two amphibian symbols – is the relationship between the humorous, benign cartoon and serious intent. Experts call this "tactical frivolity."

This approach rests on what Mr Bogad calls a "disarming display" – usually humorous, it's a "disarming and charming" display that highlights a cause without directly articulating them. It's the unusual prop you wear, or the meme circulated.

Mr Bogad is both an expert on this topic 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 the Middle Ages – when people are dominated, absurd humor is used to express dissent indirectly and still have a layer of protection."

The theory of such tactics is multi-faceted, Mr Bogad says.

As protesters take on the state, humorous attire {takes control of|seizes|influences