🔗 Share this article

The protest movement may not be televised, though it may feature webbed feet and protruding eyes.

It also might feature the horn of a unicorn or a chicken's feathers.

Whilst rallies opposing the government persist in American cities, demonstrators have embraced the vibe of a local block party. They've offered dance instruction, handed out treats, and ridden unicycles, while officers observe.

Combining comedy and politics – a strategy experts refer to as "tactical frivolity" – isn't novel. However, it has emerged as a signature characteristic of US demonstrations in this period, embraced by both left and right.

One particular emblem has emerged as notably significant – the frog. It began after a video of an encounter between an individual in an inflatable frog and immigration enforcement agents in the city of Portland, spread online. From there, it proliferated to demonstrations throughout the United States.

"A great deal going on with that small frog costume," notes LM Bogad, a professor at UC Davis and an academic who focuses on performance art.

The Path From the Pepe Meme to Portland

It's challenging to examine protests and frogs without addressing Pepe, an illustrated figure embraced by extremist movements during a previous presidential campaign.

When the character initially spread on the internet, people used it to signal certain emotions. Later, its use evolved to show support for a political figure, including a particular image retweeted by that figure personally, depicting the frog with a signature suit and hair.

The frog was also portrayed in right-wing online communities in offensive ways, as a hate group member. Participants exchanged "unique frog images" and set up digital currency in his name. Its famous line, "feels good, man", was deployed an inside joke.

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

The artist behind it, artist Matt Furie, has expressed about his unhappiness for its appropriation. His creation was meant as simply a "chill frog-dude" in this artist's universe.

Pepe first appeared in a series of comics in 2005 – non-political and famous for a quirky behavior. A film, which chronicles the creator's attempt to reclaim ownership of his creation, he stated the character was inspired by his life with companions.

Early in his career, Mr Furie experimented with uploading his work to the nascent social web, where people online began to borrow, remix and reinvent the frog. As its popularity grew into fringe areas of the internet, the creator sought to reject his creation, even killing him off in a final panel.

Yet the frog persisted.

"This demonstrates that we don't control icons," says the professor. "Their meaning can evolve and be repurposed."

Previously, the association of Pepe resulted in frogs were predominantly linked to the right. But that changed recently, when an incident between an activist wearing a blow-up amphibian suit and an immigration officer in Portland captured global attention.

The event occurred shortly after a decision to send military personnel to Portland, which was described as "war-ravaged". Demonstrators began to congregate outside a facility, near a federal building.

Tensions were high and a officer sprayed irritant at a protester, targeting the ventilation of the costume.

The individual, Seth Todd, reacted humorously, saying he had tasted "something milder". Yet the footage spread everywhere.

Mr Todd's attire fit right in for Portland, known for its unconventional spirit and activist demonstrations that revel in the unusual – public yoga, 80s-style aerobics lessons, and unique parades. Its creed is "Embrace the Strange."

The costume even played a role in the ensuing legal battle between the administration and the city, which contended the use of troops was unlawful.

Although the court ruled in October that the president had the right to deploy troops, one judge dissented, mentioning demonstrators' "known tendency for using unusual attire when expressing their disagreement."

"It is easy to see the majority's ruling, which accepts the description of Portland as a war zone, as simply ridiculous," Judge Susan Graber opined. "Yet the outcome is not merely absurd."

The order was halted by courts just a month later, and personnel are said to have left the area.

However, by that time, the frog was now a powerful symbol of resistance for the left.

This symbol was seen across the country at No Kings protests recently. Frogs appeared – along with other creatures – in San Diego and Atlanta and Boston. They were in small towns and global metropolises like Tokyo and London.

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

Mastering the Narrative

The link between the two amphibian symbols – lies in the dynamic between the silly, innocent image and serious intent. Experts call this "tactical frivolity."

This approach is based on what Mr Bogad calls the "irresistible image" – frequently absurd, it acts as a "appealing and non-threatening" act that draws focus to a message without needing directly articulating them. This is the unusual prop you wear, or the meme you share.

Mr Bogad is both an expert in the subject and an experienced participant. He's written a book on the subject, and led seminars around the world.

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

The theory of this approach is three-fold, Mr Bogad explains.

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