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This revolution won't be televised, though it may feature amphibious toes and bulging eyes.

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

While rallies opposing the leadership persist in US cities, participants have embraced the spirit of a local block party. They've provided dance instruction, distributed snacks, and performed on unicycles, as armed law enforcement watch.

Combining comedy and politics – a strategy social scientists call "tactical frivolity" – isn't novel. However, it has emerged as a hallmark of American protest in this period, adopted by all sides of the political spectrum.

One particular emblem has risen to become especially powerful – the frog. It originated after a video of an encounter between a protester in an amphibian costume and ICE agents in the city of Portland, became an internet sensation. From there, it proliferated to demonstrations across the country.

"There is much happening with that little frog costume," notes LM Bogad, who teaches at UC Davis and a Guggenheim Fellow who studies creative activism.

The Path From Pepe to Portland

It's hard to talk about demonstrations and amphibians without addressing Pepe, a cartoon character embraced by far-right groups during a political race.

Initially, when the character initially spread online, people used it to convey certain emotions. Later, its use evolved to express backing for a political figure, including a particular image endorsed by that figure personally, portraying the frog with a signature suit and hair.

Images also circulated in right-wing online communities in offensive ways, as a hate group member. Users exchanged "rare Pepes" and set up cryptocurrency in his name. His catchphrase, "feels good, man", was used a coded signal.

But its beginnings were not this divisive.

Its creator, the illustrator, has been vocal about his distaste for its appropriation. Pepe was supposed to be simply a "chill frog-dude" in his comic world.

This character first appeared in a series of comics in the mid-2000s – non-political and best known for a particular bathroom habit. A film, which chronicles Mr Furie's efforts to take back of his creation, he said his drawing was inspired by his life with friends and roommates.

Early in his career, the artist tried sharing his art to early internet platforms, where the community began to borrow, remix and reinvent his character. As Pepe spread into fringe areas of online spaces, the creator sought to reject his creation, including ending its life in a comic strip.

Yet the frog persisted.

"It shows that we don't control symbols," says Prof Bogad. "Their meaning can evolve and be repurposed."

For a long time, the popularity of Pepe resulted in frogs were largely associated with the right. A transformation occurred recently, when a viral moment between an activist dressed in an inflatable frog costume and an immigration officer in Portland, Oregon went viral.

This incident came just days after a decision to send the National Guard to the city, which was described as "war-ravaged". Activists began to congregate on a single block, near an ICE office.

Emotions ran high and an immigration officer deployed irritant at the individual, aiming directly into the opening of the costume.

The protester, Seth Todd, reacted humorously, saying it tasted like "spicier tamales". But the incident went viral.

The frog suit was somewhat typical for Portland, famous for its unconventional spirit and activist demonstrations that embrace the ridiculous – outdoor exercise, 80s-style aerobics lessons, and nude cycling groups. Its creed is "Embrace the Strange."

This symbol became part of in a lawsuit between the federal government and the city, which contended the use of troops overstepped authority.

While the court ruled in October that the administration had the right to send personnel, a minority opinion disagreed, mentioning the protesters' "known tendency for using unusual attire while voicing opposition."

"Some might view the majority's ruling, which adopts the description of Portland as a battlefield, as merely absurd," the dissenting judge wrote. "But today's decision is not merely absurd."

The action was stopped legally soon after, and troops withdrew from the area.

However, by that time, the amphibian costume had become a potent protest icon for progressive movements.

This symbol was seen across the country at anti-authoritarian protests recently. Amphibian costumes were present – and unicorns and axolotls and dinosaurs – in San Diego and Atlanta and Boston. They appeared in small towns and big international cities like Tokyo and London.

The frog costume was sold out on major websites, and became more expensive.

Shaping the Visual Story

The link between both frogs together – lies in the relationship between the silly, innocent image and a deeper political meaning. This concept is "tactical frivolity."

The strategy rests on what the professor terms a "disarming display" – often silly, it's a "disarming and charming" act that draws focus to a cause without explicitly stating them. It's the unusual prop used, or the symbol circulated.

Mr Bogad is both an expert on this topic and someone who uses these tactics. He authored a text on the subject, and led seminars internationally.

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

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

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