From Right-Wing Symbol to Resistance Symbol: This Unexpected Transformation of the Amphibian

This protest movement isn't broadcast, but it could have webbed feet and large eyes.

Additionally, it could include a unicorn's horn or a chicken's feathers.

As protests against the administration persist in US cities, protesters have embraced the spirit of a local block party. They have taught dance instruction, distributed treats, and ridden unicycles, while officers watch.

Mixing humour and political action – a strategy social scientists term "tactical frivolity" – has historical precedent. However, it has emerged as a hallmark of protests in the United States in recent years, embraced by both left and right.

One particular emblem has proven to be particularly salient – the frog. It began after recordings of an encounter between an individual in an inflatable frog and immigration enforcement agents in the city of Portland, went viral. From there, it proliferated to rallies nationwide.

"There is much at play with that humble blow-up amphibian," states a professor, who teaches at University of California, Davis and an academic who specialises in political performance.

From a Cartoon Frog to the Streets of Portland

It is difficult to examine protests and frogs without mentioning Pepe, an illustrated figure embraced by online communities during a previous presidential campaign.

Initially, when this image gained popularity online, it was used to signal specific feelings. Later, it was utilized to show support for a candidate, even a particular image shared by the candidate himself, portraying Pepe with a signature suit and hair.

Pepe was also depicted in digital spaces in more extreme scenarios, portrayed as a historical dictator. Users exchanged "rare Pepes" and set up cryptocurrency using its likeness. Its famous line, "that feels good", was used an inside joke.

However its beginnings were not this divisive.

The artist behind it, the illustrator, has been vocal about his distaste for how the image has been used. His creation was meant as simply an apolitical figure in his comic world.

The frog debuted in a series of comics in 2005 – non-political and notable for a particular bathroom habit. In a documentary, which follows the creator's attempt to wrest back control of his creation, he explained the character came from his life with friends and roommates.

Early in his career, the artist tried sharing his art to early internet platforms, where the community began to copy, alter, and reinterpret his character. As Pepe spread into the more extreme corners of the internet, Mr Furie attempted to distance himself from his creation, including ending its life in a comic strip.

However, its legacy continued.

"It proves the lack of control over imagery," explains the professor. "They can change and shift and be repurposed."

Previously, the association of this meme meant that frogs became a symbol for conservative politics. But that changed on a day in October, when a viral moment between an activist wearing an inflatable frog costume and an immigration officer in Portland, Oregon spread rapidly online.

This incident followed a directive to deploy military personnel to Portland, which was called "a warzone". Protesters began to gather in droves on a single block, just outside of an ICE office.

The situation was tense and an agent sprayed a chemical agent at the individual, aiming directly into the opening of the costume.

The protester, Seth Todd, reacted humorously, stating it tasted like "spicier tamales". Yet the footage went viral.

The costume was somewhat typical for Portland, famous for its eccentric vibe and activist demonstrations that delight in the absurd – outdoor exercise, 80s-style aerobics lessons, and unique parades. The city's unofficial motto is "Keep Portland Weird."

The frog was also referenced in subsequent court proceedings between the federal government and the city, which contended the deployment was unlawful.

While a ruling was issued in October that the administration was within its rights to send personnel, one judge dissented, noting in her opinion demonstrators' "propensity for wearing chicken suits while voicing their disagreement."

"Observers may be tempted the majority's ruling, which accepts the government's characterization as a war zone, as simply ridiculous," she opined. "Yet the outcome goes beyond absurdity."

The order was "permanently" blocked just a month later, and troops are said to have left the city.

But by then, the frog was now a significant protest icon for the left.

This symbol appeared nationwide at anti-authoritarian protests that fall. There were frogs – and unicorns and axolotls and dinosaurs – in San Diego and Atlanta and Boston. They were in small towns and big international cities abroad.

The inflatable suit was sold out on online retailers, and became more expensive.

Mastering the Narrative

What connects both frogs together – is the dynamic between the silly, innocent image and a deeper political meaning. Experts call this "tactical frivolity."

The strategy relies on what the professor calls a "disarming display" – usually humorous, it acts as a "appealing and non-threatening" display that highlights a message without explicitly stating them. This is the unusual prop used, or the symbol you share.

Mr Bogad is both an expert on this topic and an experienced participant. He's written a text on the subject, and led seminars internationally.

"One can look back to the Middle Ages – when people are dominated, they use absurdity to speak the truth a little bit and while maintaining a layer of protection."

The idea of this approach is multi-faceted, Mr Bogad says.

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