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The resistance won't be broadcast, though it may feature webbed feet and protruding eyes.

Furthermore, it may involve the horn of a unicorn or the plumage of a chicken.

Whilst rallies against the administration continue in American cities, demonstrators have embraced the spirit of a neighborhood dress-up party. They've provided salsa lessons, handed out treats, and ridden unicycles, while armed law enforcement look on.

Combining levity and politics – an approach social scientists refer to as "tactical frivolity" – has historical precedent. However, it has emerged as a defining feature of American protest in this period, used by various groups.

A specific icon has proven to be particularly salient – the frog. It started after a video of an encounter between a protester in an inflatable frog and federal officers in the city of Portland, went viral. It subsequently appeared to rallies throughout the United States.

"There is much going on with that little frog costume," says LM Bogad, a professor at UC Davis and an academic who studies political performance.

From Pepe to Portland

It's hard to discuss demonstrations and amphibians without mentioning Pepe, a web comic frog adopted by far-right groups throughout an election cycle.

Initially, when the character initially spread online, its purpose was to signal specific feelings. Subsequently, it was deployed to show support for a candidate, including one notable meme retweeted by the candidate himself, depicting Pepe with a signature suit and hair.

The frog was also portrayed in right-wing online communities in offensive ways, as a historical dictator. Users traded "rare Pepes" and established digital currency using its likeness. His catchphrase, "that feels good", was deployed an inside joke.

But its beginnings were not as a political symbol.

The artist behind it, the illustrator, has expressed about his disapproval for its appropriation. Pepe was supposed to be simply a relaxed amphibian in this artist's universe.

The frog debuted in an online comic in 2005 – apolitical and best known for a particular bathroom habit. In a documentary, which chronicles Mr Furie's efforts to wrest back control of his creation, he stated his drawing was inspired by his time with friends and roommates.

When he began, Mr Furie tried uploading his work to early internet platforms, where people online began to borrow, remix and reinvent his character. As Pepe spread into the more extreme corners of online spaces, the creator tried to disavow his creation, even killing him off in a final panel.

However, its legacy continued.

"This demonstrates the lack of control over imagery," states Prof Bogad. "Their meaning can evolve and be reworked."

For a long time, the popularity of this meme resulted in amphibian imagery were predominantly linked to the right. A transformation occurred on a day in October, when a viral moment between a protestor dressed in an inflatable frog costume and an immigration officer in Portland went viral.

The moment followed a decision to deploy the National Guard to the city, which was described as "war-ravaged". Protesters began to congregate at a specific location, near an immigration enforcement facility.

Tensions were high and an immigration officer used irritant at a protester, aiming directly into the air intake fan of the costume.

The protester, Seth Todd, quipped, saying it tasted like "something milder". However, the video spread everywhere.

The costume fit right in for the city, known for its eccentric vibe and left-wing protests that revel in the ridiculous – public yoga, retro fitness classes, and unique parades. The city's unofficial motto is "Keep Portland Weird."

The costume even played a role in a lawsuit between the administration and Portland, which contended the deployment was illegal.

Although a judge decided in October that the administration had the right to send personnel, a dissenting judge wrote, noting in her opinion demonstrators' "well-known penchant for using unusual attire when expressing their disagreement."

"Some might view the majority's ruling, which adopts the government's characterization as a battlefield, as simply ridiculous," Judge Susan Graber stated. "But today's decision goes beyond absurdity."

The action was stopped legally soon after, and personnel withdrew from the city.

But by then, the frog was now a powerful protest icon for progressive movements.

The inflatable suit was spotted across the country at No Kings protests recently. Amphibian costumes were present – along with other creatures – in San Diego and Atlanta and Boston. They were in rural communities and big international cities like Tokyo and London.

The inflatable suit was sold out on online retailers, and became more expensive.

Mastering the Optics

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

The tactic is based on what the professor calls the "irresistible image" – often silly, it acts as a "disarming and charming" display that highlights a cause without needing explicitly stating them. This is the unusual prop used, or the meme circulated.

The professor is an analyst in the subject and someone who uses these tactics. He authored a book called 'Tactical Performance', and led seminars internationally.

"You could go back to historical periods – when people are dominated, absurd humor is used to speak the truth indirectly and still have a layer of protection."

The idea of this approach is three-fold, Mr Bogad says.

When activists take on authority, a silly costume {takes control of|seizes|influences