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This resistance won't be broadcast, though it may feature amphibious toes and large eyes.

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

While rallies opposing the administration persist in American cities, participants are utilizing the vibe of a community costume parade. They've provided dance instruction, distributed snacks, and ridden unicycles, as armed law enforcement observe.

Mixing humour and political action – an approach experts call "tactical frivolity" – is not new. But it has become a hallmark of American protest in the current era, adopted by various groups.

A specific icon has proven to be particularly salient – the frog. It began after recordings of a confrontation between a man in a frog suit and immigration enforcement agents in the city of Portland, spread online. It subsequently appeared to rallies across the country.

"There is much going on with that little inflatable frog," notes LM Bogad, a professor at University of California, Davis and an academic who specialises in performance art.

The Path From a Cartoon Frog to the Streets of Portland

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

Initially, when the meme gained popularity on the internet, it was used to express specific feelings. Afterwards, it was deployed to express backing for a political figure, even a particular image shared by the candidate personally, depicting the frog with recognizable attire and hairstyle.

Pepe was also depicted in right-wing online communities in darker contexts, portrayed as a historical dictator. Participants traded "rare Pepes" and set up digital currency in his name. His catchphrase, "feels good, man", was deployed an inside joke.

But Pepe didn't start out this divisive.

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

This character debuted in comic strips in the mid-2000s – non-political and notable for a particular bathroom habit. In 'Feels Good Man', which follows the creator's attempt to wrest back control of his work, he said his drawing was inspired by his experiences with friends and roommates.

When he began, the artist tried sharing his art to new websites, where the community began to borrow, remix and reinvent the frog. When the meme proliferated into the more extreme corners of the internet, the creator sought to reject his creation, even killing him off in a final panel.

However, its legacy continued.

"It proves that we don't control imagery," says the professor. "They transform and be repurposed."

For a long time, the notoriety of Pepe meant that frogs were largely associated with conservative politics. A transformation occurred in early October, when an incident between an activist wearing an inflatable frog costume and a federal agent in Portland, Oregon went viral.

The event came just days after a decision to deploy military personnel to the city, which was called "a warzone". Activists began to assemble in large numbers at a specific location, near an ICE office.

The situation was tense and an agent sprayed irritant at a protester, directing it into the ventilation of the puffy frog costume.

The individual, Seth Todd, reacted humorously, saying it tasted like "something milder". Yet the footage went viral.

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

This symbol was also referenced in a lawsuit between the federal government and the city, which contended the use of troops was unlawful.

While the court ruled that month that the administration was within its rights to deploy troops, a minority opinion disagreed, mentioning the protesters' "known tendency for donning inflatable costumes while voicing their disagreement."

"Observers may be tempted the court's opinion, which accepts the description of Portland as a battlefield, as simply ridiculous," she wrote. "But today's decision goes beyond absurdity."

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

But by then, the frog had transformed into a potent protest icon for the left.

The inflatable suit was seen in many cities at No Kings protests last autumn. There were frogs – along with other creatures – in major US cities. They were in rural communities and global metropolises like Tokyo and London.

The inflatable suit was backordered on online retailers, and saw its cost increase.

Controlling the Visual Story

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

The tactic relies on what Mr Bogad calls the "irresistible image" – frequently absurd, it's a "disarming and charming" display that draws focus to a message without directly articulating them. This is the silly outfit you wear, or the symbol you share.

The professor is an analyst on this topic and someone who uses these tactics. He's written a book on the subject, and taught workshops around the world.

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

The purpose of this approach is multi-faceted, he explains.

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