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This resistance isn't televised, yet it might possess amphibious toes and large eyes.

Additionally, it could include the horn of a unicorn or a chicken's feathers.

Whilst rallies opposing the government carry on in US cities, demonstrators are adopting the vibe of a local block party. They've offered salsa lessons, given away treats, and performed on unicycles, while police look on.

Combining comedy and politics – a strategy experts term "tactical frivolity" – has historical precedent. But it has become a defining feature of American protest in this period, adopted by various groups.

A specific icon has emerged as notably significant – the frog. It originated after a video of an encounter between a protester in a frog suit and ICE agents in Portland, Oregon, went viral. From there, it proliferated to rallies nationwide.

"There is much going on with that little blow-up amphibian," says an expert, who teaches at University of California, Davis and an academic who specialises in political performance.

The Path From the Pepe Meme to Portland

It's hard to examine protests and frogs without addressing Pepe, an illustrated figure embraced by far-right groups during a previous presidential campaign.

As this image gained popularity on the internet, it was used to signal specific feelings. Later, its use evolved to express backing for a candidate, even one notable meme shared by the candidate himself, portraying Pepe with recognizable attire and hairstyle.

Images also circulated in certain internet forums in more extreme scenarios, as a historical dictator. Online conservatives exchanged "rare Pepes" and established cryptocurrency using its likeness. Its famous line, "feels good, man", was used an inside joke.

But its beginnings were not so controversial.

The artist behind it, artist Matt Furie, has stated about his distaste for how the image has been used. His creation was meant as simply a "chill frog-dude" in his comic world.

The frog debuted in a series of comics in 2005 – non-political and best known for a particular bathroom habit. In 'Feels Good Man', which documents Mr Furie's efforts to reclaim ownership of his creation, he stated his drawing came from his experiences with companions.

As he started out, the artist experimented with sharing his art to new websites, where other users began to copy, alter, and reinterpret his character. As Pepe spread into darker parts of online spaces, Mr Furie sought to reject the frog, including ending its life in a final panel.

However, its legacy continued.

"This demonstrates that creators cannot own imagery," says Prof Bogad. "They transform and be repurposed."

Previously, the popularity of Pepe meant that frogs were largely associated with conservative politics. A transformation occurred recently, when a viral moment between an activist wearing a blow-up amphibian suit and a federal agent in Portland captured global attention.

The moment followed a decision to send the National Guard to the city, which was described as "war-ravaged". Activists began to congregate on a single block, just outside of an immigration enforcement facility.

Emotions ran high and a officer used irritant at the individual, directing it into the opening of the inflatable suit.

The individual, Seth Todd, responded with a joke, saying he had tasted "something milder". However, the video became a sensation.

Mr Todd's attire was somewhat typical for Portland, famous for its eccentric vibe and left-wing protests that delight in the ridiculous – public yoga, retro fitness classes, and unique parades. A local saying is "Embrace the Strange."

This symbol became part of in the ensuing legal battle between the administration and Portland, which claimed the deployment was unlawful.

While a ruling was issued in October that the administration had the right to send personnel, one judge dissented, noting in her opinion demonstrators' "known tendency for donning inflatable costumes while voicing dissent."

"It is easy to see this decision, which accepts the description of Portland as a battlefield, as merely absurd," Judge Susan Graber wrote. "However, this ruling has serious implications."

The order was halted by courts subsequently, and troops have reportedly departed the city.

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

This symbol was seen across the country at anti-authoritarian protests recently. Amphibian costumes were present – along with other creatures – in major US cities. They were in rural communities and global metropolises abroad.

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

Shaping the Narrative

The link between both frogs together – lies in the dynamic between the silly, innocent image and underlying political significance. Experts call this "tactical frivolity."

The tactic rests on what the professor terms a "disarming display" – usually humorous, it acts as a "disarming and charming" performance that draws focus to a message without needing explicitly stating them. It's the goofy costume used, or the symbol circulated.

Mr Bogad is both an expert in the subject and a veteran practitioner. He authored a book called 'Tactical Performance', and taught workshops around the world.

"One can look back to historical periods – when people are dominated, absurd humor is used to speak the truth a little bit and still have plausible deniability."

The idea of this approach is multi-faceted, he explains.

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