The Journey of Conservative Icon to Resistance Symbol: The Unexpected Story of the Amphibian

This revolution isn't broadcast, but it could have amphibious toes and bulging eyes.

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

While demonstrations against the leadership continue in US cities, demonstrators have embraced the spirit of a community costume parade. They have taught dance instruction, distributed treats, and ridden unicycles, while officers look on.

Combining comedy and politics – an approach researchers refer to as "tactical frivolity" – isn't novel. But it has become a signature characteristic of protests in the United States in recent years, adopted by both left and right.

One particular emblem has proven to be notably significant – the frog. It began after video footage of an encounter between a man in an inflatable frog and ICE agents in Portland, Oregon, spread online. And it has since spread to protests across the country.

"There is much going on with that small blow-up amphibian," states an expert, a professor at UC Davis and a Guggenheim Fellow who studies creative activism.

The Path From a Cartoon Frog to the Streets of Portland

It is difficult to talk about demonstrations and amphibians without addressing Pepe, a cartoon character adopted by far-right groups during an election cycle.

When this image gained popularity online, its purpose was to signal certain emotions. Afterwards, it was utilized to show support for a candidate, even a particular image retweeted by that figure himself, depicting the frog with a signature suit and hair.

The frog was also portrayed in right-wing online communities in offensive ways, as a historical dictator. Participants traded "rare Pepes" and established cryptocurrency using its likeness. Its famous line, "feels good, man", was used a coded signal.

Yet the character did not originate this divisive.

The artist behind it, artist Matt Furie, has been vocal about his unhappiness for how the image has been used. The character was intended as simply a relaxed amphibian in his comic world.

The frog first appeared in a series of comics in the mid-2000s – non-political and best known for a particular bathroom habit. In 'Feels Good Man', which documents Mr Furie's efforts to reclaim ownership of his work, he explained the character was inspired by his time with friends and roommates.

As he started out, Mr Furie experimented with uploading his work to the nascent social web, where people online began to borrow, remix and reinvent his character. As its popularity grew into fringe areas of the internet, the creator attempted to distance himself from the frog, even killing him off in a comic strip.

However, its legacy continued.

"It shows that creators cannot own imagery," states Prof Bogad. "Their meaning can evolve and be repurposed."

For a long time, the popularity of Pepe meant that frogs were predominantly linked to conservative politics. But that changed recently, when a viral moment between an activist dressed in an inflatable frog costume and an immigration officer in Portland, Oregon went viral.

The moment followed a directive to deploy the National Guard to the city, which was described as "a warzone". Protesters began to gather in droves outside a facility, near an ICE office.

The situation was tense and an immigration officer deployed irritant at a protester, directing it into the air intake fan of the costume.

Seth Todd, the man in the costume, quipped, remarking it tasted like "something milder". However, the video spread everywhere.

Mr Todd's attire was not too unusual for the city, known for its eccentric vibe and left-wing protests that embrace the ridiculous – public yoga, 80s-style aerobics lessons, and nude cycling groups. Its creed is "Embrace the Strange."

This symbol became part of in the ensuing legal battle between the administration and Portland, which argued the use of troops was illegal.

Although the court ruled that month that the president was within its rights to deploy troops, a dissenting judge wrote, noting in her opinion the protesters' "well-known penchant for donning inflatable costumes while voicing their disagreement."

"Observers may be tempted the majority's ruling, which adopts the government's characterization as a battlefield, as simply ridiculous," the dissenting judge opined. "However, this ruling has serious implications."

The action was halted by courts subsequently, and troops have reportedly departed the city.

However, by that time, the frog had transformed into a significant protest icon for the left.

The costume was seen across the country at anti-authoritarian protests recently. There were frogs – along with other creatures – in San Diego and Atlanta and Boston. They were in rural communities and global metropolises abroad.

The frog costume was sold out on major websites, and rose in price.

Mastering the Visual Story

What brings Pepe and the protest frog – is the relationship between the humorous, benign cartoon and serious intent. This is what "tactical frivolity."

This approach relies on what Mr Bogad calls a "disarming display" – frequently absurd, it's a "disarming and charming" display that highlights your ideas without needing directly articulating them. It's the unusual prop used, or the meme circulated.

The professor is both an expert in the subject and a veteran practitioner. He's written a book on the subject, and taught workshops internationally.

"You could go back to the Middle Ages – when people are dominated, they use absurdity to express dissent indirectly and still have plausible deniability."

The theory of such tactics is multi-faceted, Mr Bogad explains.

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