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This resistance may not be broadcast, though it may feature webbed feet and protruding eyes.

Additionally, it could include the horn of a unicorn or the plumage of a chicken.

While demonstrations against the leadership continue in US cities, participants are adopting the vibe of a local block party. They have taught salsa lessons, given away treats, and performed on unicycles, while police observe.

Combining comedy and politics – an approach researchers refer to as "tactical frivolity" – has historical precedent. But it has become a signature characteristic of protests in the United States in recent years, adopted by various groups.

And one symbol has proven to be particularly salient – the frog. It originated after recordings of a clash between an individual in an amphibian costume and ICE agents in Portland, Oregon, spread online. And it has since spread to rallies across the country.

"A great deal at play with that humble blow-up amphibian," notes an expert, who teaches at University of California, Davis and a Guggenheim Fellow who specialises in political performance.

The Path From Pepe to Portland

It's challenging to talk about demonstrations and amphibians without talking about Pepe, an illustrated figure embraced by extremist movements during an election cycle.

Initially, when this image gained popularity on the internet, its purpose was to convey certain emotions. Later, it was deployed to show support for a candidate, even a particular image endorsed by that figure himself, depicting Pepe with a signature suit and hair.

The frog was also portrayed in certain internet forums in more extreme scenarios, portrayed as a hate group member. Online conservatives traded "unique frog images" and set up cryptocurrency in his name. His catchphrase, "that feels good", became an inside joke.

But its beginnings were not so controversial.

The artist behind it, artist Matt Furie, has been vocal about his distaste for its co-option. The character was intended as simply a relaxed amphibian in his comic world.

The frog first appeared in comic strips in 2005 – non-political and best known for a quirky behavior. A film, which documents Mr Furie's efforts to reclaim ownership of his creation, he explained the character was inspired by his experiences with companions.

As he started out, the artist tried sharing his art to early internet platforms, where other users began to borrow, remix and reinvent his character. As Pepe spread into the more extreme corners of the internet, the creator sought to reject his creation, including ending its life in a final panel.

Yet the frog persisted.

"It shows that creators cannot own imagery," states Prof Bogad. "They can change and shift and be reworked."

Until recently, the association of Pepe resulted in frogs became a symbol for the right. This shifted in early October, when a confrontation between a protestor dressed in a blow-up amphibian suit and a federal agent in Portland captured global attention.

The moment occurred shortly after a decision to send military personnel to the city, which was described as "a warzone". Demonstrators began to congregate on a single block, just outside of an immigration enforcement facility.

The situation was tense and a officer deployed irritant at a protester, targeting the ventilation of the inflatable suit.

Seth Todd, Seth Todd, responded with a joke, remarking he had tasted "spicier tamales". But the incident became a sensation.

The frog suit was somewhat typical for the city, known for its unconventional spirit and left-wing protests that embrace the absurd – outdoor exercise, 80s-style aerobics lessons, and nude cycling groups. A local saying is "Embrace the Strange."

The frog even played a role in the ensuing legal battle between the federal government and Portland, which claimed the deployment was illegal.

Although the court ruled in October that the administration had the right to deploy troops, a dissenting judge wrote, mentioning the protesters' "propensity for donning inflatable costumes while voicing dissent."

"Some might view this decision, which accepts the government's characterization as a battlefield, as simply ridiculous," Judge Susan Graber opined. "However, this ruling is not merely absurd."

The action was stopped legally subsequently, and troops have reportedly departed the area.

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

The costume appeared across the country at No Kings protests that fall. There were frogs – along with other creatures – in San Diego and Atlanta and Boston. They appeared in small towns and big international cities abroad.

The frog costume was backordered on online retailers, and became more expensive.

Shaping the Narrative

The link between both frogs together – lies in the dynamic between the humorous, benign cartoon and serious intent. Experts call this "tactical frivolity."

The strategy rests on what Mr Bogad terms the "irresistible image" – often silly, it acts as a "appealing and non-threatening" act that calls attention to a cause without needing explicitly stating them. It's the unusual prop used, or the symbol you share.

Mr Bogad is both an expert in the subject and someone who uses these tactics. He authored a text on the subject, and led seminars around the world.

"You could go back to the Middle Ages – under oppressive regimes, they use absurdity to speak the truth indirectly and while maintaining a layer of protection."

The theory of such tactics is three-fold, Mr Bogad explains.

As protesters take on a powerful opposition, a silly costume {takes control of|seizes|influences