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This revolution isn't televised, though it may feature amphibious toes and protruding eyes.

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

As rallies against the leadership persist in American cities, demonstrators are adopting the vibe of a neighborhood dress-up party. They've provided dance instruction, given away snacks, and performed on unicycles, while armed law enforcement observe.

Combining comedy and politics – a tactic social scientists term "tactical frivolity" – has historical precedent. However, it has emerged as a hallmark of protests in the United States in the current era, embraced by various groups.

And one symbol has risen to become notably significant – the frog. It started when recordings of a clash between a protester in a frog suit and federal officers in Portland, Oregon, spread online. And it has since spread to protests across the country.

"A great deal happening with that little frog costume," says LM Bogad, who teaches at UC Davis and an academic who specialises in performance art.

The Path From Pepe to the Streets of Portland

It's hard to discuss demonstrations and amphibians without mentioning Pepe, a cartoon character co-opted by extremist movements during a previous presidential campaign.

When the character gained popularity online, its purpose was to convey certain emotions. Later, it was utilized to express backing for a candidate, even one notable meme shared by that figure himself, showing Pepe with a signature suit and hair.

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

But its beginnings were not this divisive.

Its creator, artist Matt Furie, has expressed about his disapproval for its co-option. His creation was meant as simply an apolitical figure in his comic world.

This character first appeared in comic strips in the mid-2000s – apolitical and notable for a quirky behavior. In a documentary, which follows the creator's attempt to wrest back control of his creation, he stated the character came from his experiences with friends and roommates.

As he started out, Mr Furie tried uploading his work to early internet platforms, where people online began to borrow, remix and reinvent his character. As its popularity grew into fringe areas of online spaces, Mr Furie attempted to distance himself from his creation, including ending its life in a comic strip.

Yet the frog persisted.

"This demonstrates the lack of control over imagery," says Prof Bogad. "They can change and shift and be repurposed."

Until recently, the notoriety of Pepe meant that amphibian imagery were predominantly linked to the right. A transformation occurred recently, when a viral moment between a protestor dressed in an inflatable frog costume and a federal agent in Portland went viral.

The moment occurred shortly after a decision to send the National Guard to Portland, which was called "war-ravaged". Protesters began to gather in droves outside a facility, near a federal building.

Tensions were high and a officer sprayed irritant at the individual, targeting the opening of the inflatable suit.

Seth Todd, Seth Todd, reacted humorously, remarking he had tasted "spicier tamales". But the incident went viral.

Mr Todd's attire fit right in for the city, famous for its unconventional spirit and activist demonstrations that embrace the absurd – public yoga, 80s-style aerobics lessons, and nude cycling groups. The city's unofficial motto is "Embrace the Strange."

The frog became part of in subsequent court proceedings between the administration and the city, which argued the use of troops was unlawful.

While a judge decided that month that the administration had the right to send personnel, a minority opinion disagreed, noting in her opinion demonstrators' "well-known penchant for donning inflatable costumes when expressing opposition."

"Observers may be tempted the majority's ruling, which accepts the government's characterization as a war zone, as merely absurd," Judge Susan Graber opined. "But today's decision has serious implications."

The order was halted by courts just a month later, and personnel have reportedly departed the city.

But by then, the amphibian costume had transformed into a potent anti-administration symbol for the left.

The inflatable suit appeared in many cities at anti-authoritarian protests last autumn. Frogs appeared – along with other creatures – in major US cities. They were in rural communities and global metropolises like Tokyo and London.

The inflatable suit was in high demand on online retailers, and rose in price.

Mastering the Narrative

What connects Pepe and the protest frog – is the interplay between the silly, innocent image and a deeper political meaning. This is what "tactical frivolity."

The strategy relies on what Mr Bogad calls a "disarming display" – frequently absurd, it acts as a "appealing and non-threatening" display that calls attention to your ideas without directly articulating them. This is the goofy costume used, or the symbol circulated.

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

"One can look back to the Middle Ages – when people are dominated, absurd humor is used to speak the truth indirectly and still have a layer of protection."

The purpose of such tactics is multi-faceted, Mr Bogad says.

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