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This resistance may not be televised, but it could have amphibious toes and protruding eyes.

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

Whilst protests against the government persist in American cities, participants have embraced the vibe of a community costume parade. They've offered salsa lessons, handed out treats, and performed on unicycles, while officers look on.

Blending comedy and politics – a strategy researchers refer to as "tactical frivolity" – is not new. Yet it has transformed into a signature characteristic of US demonstrations in this period, adopted by both left and right.

A specific icon has emerged as especially powerful – the frog. It began after recordings of an encounter between a man in an amphibian costume and federal officers in the city of Portland, spread online. And it has since spread to rallies across the country.

"A great deal going on with that little frog costume," states LM Bogad, a professor at UC Davis and an academic who specialises in creative activism.

The Path From Pepe to the Streets of Portland

It's hard to examine protests and frogs without mentioning Pepe, an illustrated figure adopted by far-right groups during an election cycle.

When this image initially spread on the internet, its purpose was to convey specific feelings. Afterwards, it was utilized to express backing for a political figure, even one notable meme retweeted by that figure himself, depicting Pepe with a signature suit and hair.

Pepe was also depicted in certain internet forums in offensive ways, as a historical dictator. Participants exchanged "rare Pepes" and set up digital currency in his name. Its famous line, "feels good, man", became an inside joke.

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

Its creator, artist Matt Furie, has stated about his unhappiness for its co-option. His creation was meant as simply a relaxed amphibian in his comic world.

This character first appeared in an online comic in the mid-2000s – non-political and famous for a quirky behavior. A film, which follows Mr Furie's efforts to reclaim ownership of his creation, he stated the character was inspired by his life with companions.

Early in his career, the artist experimented with sharing his art to the nascent social web, where people online began to borrow, remix and reinvent the frog. As Pepe spread into fringe areas of the internet, the creator sought to reject his creation, even killing him off in a comic strip.

However, its legacy continued.

"It proves that creators cannot own icons," says the professor. "They transform and be reclaimed."

For a long time, the notoriety of Pepe resulted in frogs became a symbol for the right. A transformation occurred recently, when an incident between a protestor dressed in an inflatable frog costume and an immigration officer in Portland, Oregon spread rapidly online.

The moment followed a decision to send the National Guard to Portland, which was called "a warzone". Demonstrators began to congregate at a specific location, near an immigration enforcement facility.

Tensions were high and an immigration officer sprayed pepper spray at the individual, aiming directly into the ventilation of the puffy frog costume.

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

Mr Todd's attire was not too unusual for the city, known for its quirky culture and activist demonstrations that revel in the unusual – outdoor exercise, 80s-style aerobics lessons, and unique parades. Its creed is "Embrace the Strange."

This symbol became part of in a lawsuit between the administration and the city, which argued the deployment was illegal.

Although a judge decided in October that the president had the right to send personnel, one judge dissented, referencing in her ruling demonstrators' "well-known penchant for wearing chicken suits when expressing opposition."

"Observers may be tempted the court's opinion, which adopts the description of Portland as a battlefield, as simply ridiculous," she wrote. "But today's decision has serious implications."

The action was stopped legally soon after, and personnel withdrew from the area.

However, by that time, the frog had transformed into a powerful anti-administration symbol for progressive movements.

This symbol was spotted nationwide at anti-authoritarian protests recently. Frogs appeared – and unicorns and axolotls and dinosaurs – in major US cities. They appeared in small towns and big international cities abroad.

The inflatable suit was backordered on major websites, and rose in price.

Shaping the Visual Story

The link between the two amphibian symbols – is the interplay between the humorous, benign cartoon and underlying political significance. This concept is "tactical frivolity."

The strategy is based on what Mr Bogad terms the "irresistible image" – often silly, it acts as a "appealing and non-threatening" performance that draws focus to a message without needing obviously explaining them. It's the unusual prop you wear, or the symbol circulated.

Mr Bogad is both an expert in the subject and an experienced participant. He's written a text called 'Tactical Performance', 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 plausible deniability."

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

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