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This revolution may not be televised, though it may feature webbed feet and protruding eyes.

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

As demonstrations opposing the government carry on in US cities, demonstrators have embraced the vibe of a local block party. They've provided dance instruction, given away treats, and performed on unicycles, as armed law enforcement observe.

Mixing comedy and politics – an approach experts call "tactical frivolity" – isn't novel. But it has become a hallmark of US demonstrations in recent years, adopted by various groups.

And one symbol has emerged as notably significant – the frog. It began after video footage of an encounter between a man in an inflatable frog and ICE agents in Portland, Oregon, spread online. It subsequently appeared to demonstrations throughout the United States.

"There's a lot happening with that small blow-up amphibian," states an expert, who teaches at University of California, Davis and a Guggenheim Fellow who studies performance art.

From the Pepe Meme to Portland

It's challenging to examine protests and frogs without talking about Pepe, an illustrated figure adopted by extremist movements throughout a previous presidential campaign.

Initially, when the character first took off on the internet, people used it to convey specific feelings. Subsequently, it was deployed to express backing for a candidate, even one notable meme retweeted by that figure himself, depicting Pepe with recognizable attire and hairstyle.

The frog was also portrayed in right-wing online communities in offensive ways, as a hate group member. Users traded "rare Pepes" and set up digital currency using its likeness. His catchphrase, "feels good, man", was used an inside joke.

Yet Pepe didn't start out as a political symbol.

Matt Furie, artist Matt Furie, has stated about his unhappiness for its appropriation. The character was intended as simply a "chill frog-dude" in his comic world.

Pepe first appeared in an online comic in the mid-2000s – apolitical and famous for a quirky behavior. In 'Feels Good Man', which documents the creator's attempt to wrest back control of his creation, he explained the character was inspired by his experiences with companions.

As he started out, Mr Furie tried uploading his work to the nascent social web, where people online began to copy, alter, and reinterpret his character. As its popularity grew into darker parts of online spaces, the creator tried to disavow his creation, including ending its life in a comic strip.

However, its legacy continued.

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

Previously, the association of Pepe resulted in amphibian imagery were largely associated with conservative politics. But that changed in early October, when a viral moment between an activist wearing an inflatable frog costume and an immigration officer in Portland spread rapidly online.

The moment followed a decision to send the National Guard to Portland, which was called "war-ravaged". Demonstrators began to gather in droves on a single block, just outside of an ICE office.

The situation was tense and a officer sprayed irritant at the individual, aiming directly into the ventilation of the inflatable suit.

The protester, Seth Todd, responded with a joke, remarking it tasted like "something milder". But the incident went viral.

The costume fit right in for the city, famous for its eccentric vibe and activist demonstrations that embrace the ridiculous – outdoor exercise, retro fitness classes, and unique parades. The city's unofficial motto is "Embrace the Strange."

This symbol became part of in subsequent court proceedings between the administration and the city, which contended the use of troops overstepped authority.

While a judge decided in October that the administration had the right to send personnel, a dissenting judge wrote, referencing in her ruling the protesters' "propensity for wearing chicken suits when expressing dissent."

"Observers may be tempted the court's opinion, which adopts the government's characterization as a war zone, as simply ridiculous," the dissenting judge stated. "But today's decision is not merely absurd."

The order was "permanently" blocked soon after, and personnel withdrew from the area.

However, by that time, the frog was now a significant protest icon for progressive movements.

The inflatable suit was seen in many cities at No Kings protests last autumn. There were frogs – along with other creatures – in San Diego and Atlanta and Boston. They were in rural communities and big international cities like Tokyo and London.

This item was in high demand on major websites, and rose in price.

Controlling the Optics

What brings both frogs together – is the relationship between the silly, innocent image and serious intent. This concept is "tactical frivolity."

This approach is based on what the professor terms a "disarming display" – frequently absurd, it acts as a "appealing and non-threatening" act that calls attention to a cause without needing explicitly stating them. This is the silly outfit you wear, or the meme circulated.

Mr Bogad is both an expert in the subject and an experienced participant. He authored a book called 'Tactical Performance', and led seminars internationally.

"One can look back to historical periods – when people are dominated, they use absurdity to express dissent indirectly and while maintaining a layer of protection."

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

As protesters confront authority, humorous attire {takes control of|seizes|influences