🔗 Share this article

The resistance won't be broadcast, yet it might possess webbed feet and protruding eyes.

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

Whilst rallies against the leadership carry on in US cities, participants are utilizing the vibe of a neighborhood dress-up party. They've offered dance instruction, distributed snacks, and ridden unicycles, while armed law enforcement watch.

Mixing humour and politics – a tactic experts term "tactical frivolity" – has historical precedent. But it has become a hallmark of protests in the United States in recent years, used by all sides of the political spectrum.

One particular emblem has risen to become especially powerful – the frog. It began when video footage of a confrontation between a man in a frog suit and immigration enforcement agents in the city of Portland, went viral. It subsequently appeared to rallies across the country.

"There's a lot going on with that small frog costume," says LM Bogad, who teaches at University of California, Davis and a Guggenheim Fellow who focuses on creative activism.

The Path From the Pepe Meme to the Streets of Portland

It is difficult to examine demonstrations and amphibians without mentioning Pepe, a web comic frog co-opted by far-right groups during a political race.

When the meme initially spread online, people used it to signal specific feelings. Later, it was deployed to show support for a political figure, including one notable meme endorsed by the candidate himself, portraying the frog with recognizable attire and hairstyle.

The frog was also portrayed in right-wing online communities in darker contexts, portrayed as a historical dictator. Participants exchanged "unique frog images" and established digital currency using its likeness. His catchphrase, "feels good, man", was used a shared phrase.

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

The artist behind it, the illustrator, has stated about his unhappiness for how the image has been used. His creation was meant as simply a "chill frog-dude" in his series.

This character first appeared in a series of comics in the mid-2000s – non-political and famous for a quirky behavior. In 'Feels Good Man', which follows Mr Furie's efforts to reclaim ownership of his creation, he said his drawing came from his time with companions.

When he began, the artist tried sharing his art to early internet platforms, where other users began to borrow, remix and reinvent his character. As Pepe spread into the more extreme corners of the internet, Mr Furie sought to reject the frog, even killing him off in a final panel.

But Pepe lived on.

"It proves the lack of control over icons," states Prof Bogad. "Their meaning can evolve and be reclaimed."

For a long time, the popularity of Pepe meant that frogs became a symbol for conservative politics. This shifted in early October, when a viral moment between a protestor wearing an inflatable frog costume and a federal agent in Portland captured global attention.

The moment followed a decision to deploy military personnel to Portland, which was called "a warzone". Activists began to gather in droves at a specific location, near an immigration enforcement facility.

Emotions ran high and a officer deployed irritant at a protester, directing it into the ventilation of the costume.

The protester, Seth Todd, reacted humorously, remarking he had tasted "spicier tamales". However, the video went viral.

The frog suit fit right in for the city, known for its eccentric vibe and left-wing protests that delight in the ridiculous – outdoor exercise, retro fitness classes, and nude cycling groups. A local saying is "Embrace the Strange."

The costume was also referenced in subsequent court proceedings between the federal government and the city, which claimed the use of troops was unlawful.

Although a ruling was issued that month that the president had the right to deploy troops, a minority opinion disagreed, referencing in her ruling demonstrators' "well-known penchant for using unusual attire while voicing dissent."

"Observers may be tempted this decision, which adopts the government's characterization as a war zone, as merely absurd," Judge Susan Graber stated. "Yet the outcome has serious implications."

The deployment was halted by courts just a month later, and troops withdrew from the city.

However, by that time, the amphibian costume had transformed into a potent anti-administration symbol for progressive movements.

This symbol was seen nationwide at No Kings protests last autumn. There were frogs – along with other creatures – in major US cities. They were in rural communities and big international cities like Tokyo and London.

This item was sold out on online retailers, and saw its cost increase.

Mastering the Narrative

The link between both frogs together – lies in the dynamic between the silly, innocent image and a deeper political meaning. This is what "tactical frivolity."

This approach rests on what Mr Bogad calls a "disarming display" – frequently absurd, it's a "disarming and charming" display that highlights your ideas without directly articulating them. This is the goofy costume you wear, or the meme you share.

Mr Bogad is an analyst on this topic and a veteran practitioner. He authored a book called 'Tactical Performance', and led seminars internationally.

"One can look back to historical periods – under oppressive regimes, they use absurdity to express dissent a little bit and still have a layer of protection."

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

As activists take on authority, humorous attire {takes control of|seizes|influences