From Right-Wing Icon to Protest Emblem: The Remarkable Transformation of the Amphibian

The revolution isn't broadcast, but it could have webbed feet and protruding eyes.

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

As demonstrations opposing the government carry on in American cities, participants are adopting the vibe of a neighborhood dress-up party. They've provided dance instruction, distributed snacks, and ridden unicycles, as officers watch.

Blending humour and political action – a tactic researchers call "tactical frivolity" – is not new. But it has become a defining feature of American protest in this period, used by various groups.

And one symbol has risen to become notably significant – the frog. It originated after recordings of a clash between a protester in an amphibian costume and ICE agents in the city of Portland, became an internet sensation. And it has since spread to demonstrations across the country.

"There's a lot going on with that little blow-up amphibian," notes an expert, a professor at University of California, Davis and a Guggenheim Fellow who studies creative activism.

From a Cartoon Frog to the Streets of Portland

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

When the character gained popularity online, its purpose was to convey specific feelings. Subsequently, it was utilized to endorse a political figure, including a particular image shared by that figure himself, portraying Pepe with recognizable attire and hairstyle.

Pepe was also depicted in certain internet forums in more extreme scenarios, portrayed as a historical dictator. Users traded "unique frog images" and set up digital currency in his name. Its famous line, "feels good, man", was used a shared phrase.

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

Its creator, artist Matt Furie, has expressed about his disapproval for how the image has been used. Pepe was supposed to be simply a "chill frog-dude" in this artist's universe.

The frog debuted in comic strips in 2005 – non-political and best known for a quirky behavior. In a documentary, which documents the creator's attempt to take back of his creation, he stated his drawing was inspired by his life with companions.

Early in his career, the artist experimented with uploading his work to new websites, where other users began to copy, alter, and reinterpret the frog. When the meme proliferated into darker parts of the internet, Mr Furie tried to disavow his creation, even killing him off in a final panel.

However, its legacy continued.

"It shows the lack of control over icons," says the professor. "They transform and be reworked."

Previously, the notoriety of Pepe resulted in amphibian imagery were predominantly linked to conservative politics. This shifted in early October, when a confrontation between a protestor dressed in a blow-up amphibian suit and an immigration officer in Portland captured global attention.

The moment occurred shortly after a directive to send military personnel to Portland, which was called "war-ravaged". Protesters began to congregate outside a facility, near a federal building.

Emotions ran high and an agent used a chemical agent at the individual, directing it into the ventilation of the puffy frog costume.

The protester, Seth Todd, responded with a joke, saying it tasted like "spicier tamales". However, the video became a sensation.

The frog suit was somewhat typical for the city, known for its unconventional spirit and left-wing protests that revel in the unusual – public yoga, retro fitness classes, and nude cycling groups. A local saying is "Keep Portland Weird."

The costume even played a role in a lawsuit between the federal government and Portland, which claimed the deployment was unlawful.

Although a judge decided that month that the president had the right to deploy troops, a minority opinion disagreed, noting in her opinion demonstrators' "well-known penchant for donning inflatable costumes when expressing their disagreement."

"It is easy to see this decision, which accepts the description of Portland as a war zone, as simply ridiculous," she opined. "But today's decision goes beyond absurdity."

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

However, by that time, the frog was now a significant symbol of resistance for the left.

This symbol appeared in many cities at No Kings protests last autumn. Amphibian costumes were present – along with other creatures – in major US cities. They appeared in rural communities and global metropolises abroad.

This item was sold out on online retailers, and became more expensive.

Mastering the Visual Story

What connects the two amphibian symbols – lies in the interplay between the silly, innocent image and serious intent. Experts call this "tactical frivolity."

This approach relies on what the professor terms a "disarming display" – often silly, it's a "disarming and charming" performance that draws focus to your ideas without obviously explaining them. It's the unusual prop used, or the symbol you share.

The professor is both an expert in the subject and someone who uses these tactics. He's written a text called 'Tactical Performance', and led seminars internationally.

"You could go back to historical periods – when people are dominated, absurd humor is used to speak the truth indirectly and still have a layer of protection."

The idea of such tactics is three-fold, he explains.

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