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This revolution isn't televised, yet it might possess webbed feet and bulging eyes.

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

As demonstrations against the administration continue in US cities, protesters are adopting the energy of a local block party. They've provided dance instruction, handed out snacks, and ridden unicycles, as armed law enforcement look on.

Combining comedy and politics – a strategy researchers refer to as "tactical frivolity" – is not new. But it has become a hallmark of US demonstrations in the current era, adopted by all sides of the political spectrum.

One particular emblem has proven to be particularly salient – the frog. It began after recordings of a clash between a man in an inflatable frog and federal officers in the city of Portland, spread online. It subsequently appeared to demonstrations across the country.

"A great deal going on with that humble inflatable frog," says a professor, a professor at University of California, Davis and an academic who specialises in performance art.

The Path From the Pepe Meme to Portland

It's hard to discuss demonstrations and amphibians without talking about Pepe, a web comic frog co-opted by online communities during an election cycle.

When the character first took off on the internet, it was used to signal specific feelings. Subsequently, it was deployed to express backing for a candidate, even a particular image retweeted by the candidate himself, depicting the frog with a signature suit and hair.

Pepe was also depicted in right-wing online communities in more extreme scenarios, as a hate group member. Online conservatives traded "rare Pepes" and set up digital currency using its likeness. His catchphrase, "that feels good", became a shared phrase.

Yet the character did not originate as a political symbol.

Matt Furie, the illustrator, has stated about his disapproval for its appropriation. The character was intended as simply a relaxed amphibian in this artist's universe.

This character first appeared in a series of comics in the mid-2000s – non-political and notable for a particular bathroom habit. A film, which follows the creator's attempt to wrest back control of his creation, he stated his drawing came from his experiences with companions.

As he started out, the artist tried sharing his art to the nascent social web, where the community began to borrow, remix and reinvent his character. As its popularity grew into darker parts of the internet, the creator sought to reject the frog, including ending its life in a comic strip.

But Pepe lived on.

"It shows the lack of control over imagery," states Prof Bogad. "They can change and shift and be reworked."

For a long time, the popularity of this meme resulted in frogs were predominantly linked to the right. A transformation occurred in early October, when a confrontation between an activist wearing a blow-up amphibian suit and a federal agent in Portland, Oregon spread rapidly online.

The moment followed a directive to deploy military personnel to Portland, which was described as "war-ravaged". Protesters began to gather in droves outside a facility, just outside of an ICE office.

Tensions were high and a officer deployed irritant at the individual, targeting the ventilation of the costume.

Seth Todd, Seth Todd, reacted humorously, stating it tasted like "spicier tamales". But the incident spread everywhere.

Mr Todd's attire was somewhat typical for Portland, known for its unconventional spirit and left-wing protests that revel in the ridiculous – outdoor exercise, 80s-style aerobics lessons, and unique parades. The city's unofficial motto is "Keep Portland Weird."

The frog became part of in subsequent court proceedings between the administration and Portland, which argued the deployment was illegal.

Although the court ruled that month that the administration was within its rights to deploy troops, a dissenting judge wrote, noting in her opinion the protesters' "well-known penchant for using unusual attire when expressing dissent."

"Some might view this decision, which accepts the government's characterization as a war zone, as simply ridiculous," the dissenting judge stated. "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 was now a potent symbol of resistance for progressive movements.

This symbol appeared in many cities at anti-authoritarian protests last autumn. There were frogs – and unicorns and axolotls and dinosaurs – in major US cities. They appeared in rural communities and global metropolises abroad.

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

Shaping the Visual Story

The link between the two amphibian symbols – lies in the relationship between the silly, innocent image and serious intent. This concept is "tactical frivolity."

This approach rests on what Mr Bogad calls a "disarming display" – usually humorous, it's a "disarming and charming" performance that highlights a message without needing directly articulating them. It's the silly outfit you wear, or the symbol you share.

Mr Bogad is both an expert in the subject and someone who uses these tactics. He's written a text on the subject, and taught workshops internationally.

"One can look back to historical periods – under oppressive regimes, absurd humor is used to speak the truth a little bit and while maintaining plausible deniability."

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

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