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This resistance won't be televised, but it could have amphibious toes and bulging eyes.

It also might feature the horn of a unicorn or the plumage of a chicken.

Whilst protests against the government continue in American cities, protesters have embraced the vibe of a community costume parade. They've provided dance instruction, given away snacks, and performed on unicycles, as officers look on.

Blending comedy and political action – an approach experts term "tactical frivolity" – isn't novel. However, it has emerged as a defining feature of US demonstrations in the current era, adopted by all sides of the political spectrum.

And one symbol has proven to be especially powerful – the frog. It began after recordings of an encounter between a man in an amphibian costume and ICE agents in the city of Portland, spread online. And it has since spread to demonstrations nationwide.

"There is much happening with that small inflatable frog," notes a professor, who teaches at UC Davis and a Guggenheim Fellow who specialises in creative activism.

From the Pepe Meme to the Streets of Portland

It's hard to discuss demonstrations and amphibians without talking about Pepe, an illustrated figure embraced by online communities during a political race.

Initially, when the character first took off on the internet, its purpose was to convey certain emotions. Afterwards, it was utilized to show support for a political figure, even a particular image retweeted by the candidate himself, portraying Pepe with recognizable attire and hairstyle.

Images also circulated in right-wing online communities in darker contexts, as a hate group member. Participants traded "rare Pepes" and established cryptocurrency using its likeness. His catchphrase, "feels good, man", was deployed a shared phrase.

However the character did not originate as a political symbol.

The artist behind it, artist Matt Furie, has been vocal about his disapproval for its co-option. The character was intended as simply a "chill frog-dude" in his comic world.

This character first appeared in comic strips in 2005 – apolitical and best known for a particular bathroom habit. A film, which documents the creator's attempt to reclaim ownership of his work, he stated the character came from his experiences with friends and roommates.

Early in his career, the artist experimented with uploading his work to the nascent social web, where the community began to copy, alter, and reinterpret his character. As Pepe spread into fringe areas of online spaces, Mr Furie tried to disavow his creation, including ending its life in a comic strip.

However, its legacy continued.

"It shows that creators cannot own icons," explains the professor. "Their meaning can evolve and be reclaimed."

Until recently, the association of this meme resulted in amphibian imagery were largely associated with the right. But that changed recently, when a confrontation between an activist wearing a blow-up amphibian suit and an immigration officer in Portland, Oregon went viral.

The moment occurred shortly after a decision to send the National Guard to the city, which was described as "a warzone". Protesters began to assemble in large numbers outside a facility, near a federal building.

Emotions ran high and an immigration officer sprayed a chemical agent at the individual, directing it into the air intake fan of the inflatable suit.

The protester, Seth Todd, responded with a joke, saying it tasted like "something milder". However, the video spread everywhere.

The frog suit was not too unusual for the city, known for its eccentric vibe and activist demonstrations that embrace the absurd – outdoor exercise, retro fitness classes, and unique parades. Its creed is "Embrace the Strange."

The costume even played a role in the ensuing legal battle between the federal government and the city, which claimed the deployment was unlawful.

Although a ruling was issued in October that the president was within its rights to send personnel, a dissenting judge wrote, noting in her opinion the protesters' "propensity for wearing chicken suits when expressing opposition."

"Some might view this decision, which accepts the government's characterization as a war zone, as simply ridiculous," the dissenting judge stated. "Yet the outcome is not merely absurd."

The action was "permanently" blocked just a month later, and personnel are said to have left the area.

However, by that time, the amphibian costume had transformed into a significant protest icon for progressive movements.

The costume was seen across the country at anti-authoritarian protests recently. Amphibian costumes were present – along with other creatures – in San Diego and Atlanta and Boston. They appeared in rural communities and global metropolises like Tokyo and London.

The inflatable suit was backordered on major websites, and became more expensive.

Shaping the Optics

The link between the two amphibian symbols – lies in the relationship between the silly, innocent image and underlying political significance. Experts call this "tactical frivolity."

The strategy is based on what the professor terms the "irresistible image" – often silly, it's a "disarming and charming" performance that highlights your ideas without needing obviously explaining them. It's the unusual prop you wear, or the symbol circulated.

The professor is both an expert on this topic and someone who uses these tactics. He's written 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 while maintaining plausible deniability."

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

As activists take on authority, humorous attire {takes control of|seizes|influences