The Journey of Right-Wing Icon to Protest Emblem: The Surprising Transformation of the Frog

This resistance won't be broadcast, though it may feature webbed feet and bulging eyes.

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

As demonstrations against the administration carry on in American cities, demonstrators are utilizing the spirit of a local block party. They've offered dance instruction, handed out treats, and performed on unicycles, as armed law enforcement look on.

Combining humour and politics – a tactic researchers term "tactical frivolity" – has historical precedent. But it has become a hallmark of American protest in this period, embraced by all sides of the political spectrum.

One particular emblem has emerged as especially powerful – the frog. It began when recordings of a clash between an individual in an inflatable frog and federal officers in the city of Portland, went viral. And it has since spread to demonstrations nationwide.

"There is much happening with that humble inflatable frog," states an expert, a professor at UC Davis and an academic who specialises in political performance.

From a Cartoon Frog to the Streets of Portland

It's challenging to talk about demonstrations and amphibians without mentioning Pepe, a web comic frog adopted by extremist movements during a previous presidential campaign.

Initially, when the character gained popularity on the internet, its purpose was to signal certain emotions. Later, its use evolved to express backing for a candidate, including a particular image endorsed by that figure personally, showing Pepe with recognizable attire and hairstyle.

Images also circulated in certain internet forums in more extreme scenarios, as a hate group member. Users exchanged "rare Pepes" and set up digital currency in his name. Its famous line, "that feels good", was deployed an inside joke.

However the character did not originate so controversial.

Matt Furie, artist Matt Furie, has been vocal about his disapproval for its co-option. His creation was meant as simply a relaxed amphibian in his comic world.

Pepe debuted in an online comic in 2005 – apolitical and famous for a quirky behavior. A film, which documents the creator's attempt to reclaim ownership of his creation, he stated his drawing was inspired by his time with companions.

Early in his career, the artist experimented with sharing his art to new websites, where other users began to borrow, remix and reinvent his character. As its popularity grew into darker parts of the internet, the creator attempted to distance himself from his creation, even killing him off in a final panel.

But Pepe lived on.

"It proves that we don't control icons," explains the professor. "They transform and be reclaimed."

For a long time, the association of Pepe meant that frogs became a symbol for conservative politics. This shifted 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 event came just days after a decision to send military personnel to the city, which was described as "war-ravaged". Demonstrators began to assemble in large numbers outside a facility, just outside of a federal building.

Emotions ran high and an immigration officer used pepper spray at the individual, directing it into the ventilation of the inflatable suit.

The individual, Seth Todd, quipped, remarking he had tasted "spicier tamales". However, the video spread everywhere.

The costume fit right in for the city, renowned for its quirky culture and left-wing protests that embrace the absurd – public yoga, 80s-style aerobics lessons, and nude cycling groups. Its creed is "Embrace the Strange."

The costume was also referenced in a lawsuit between the federal government and the city, which claimed the deployment overstepped authority.

While a ruling was issued that month that the president was within its rights to send personnel, a minority opinion disagreed, mentioning the protesters' "well-known penchant for donning inflatable costumes when expressing opposition."

"It is easy to see the majority's ruling, which accepts the government's characterization as a battlefield, as merely absurd," the dissenting judge wrote. "But today's decision has serious implications."

The action was "permanently" blocked subsequently, and troops withdrew from the city.

But by then, the frog had transformed into a powerful symbol of resistance for the left.

The costume was spotted in many cities at No Kings protests recently. There were frogs – along with other creatures – in San Diego and Atlanta and Boston. They appeared in small towns and global metropolises like Tokyo and London.

The frog costume was in high demand on online retailers, and rose in price.

Mastering the Visual Story

The link between the two amphibian symbols – is the interplay between the silly, innocent image and a deeper political meaning. This concept is "tactical frivolity."

The strategy relies on what the professor terms the "irresistible image" – usually humorous, it's a "disarming and charming" display that draws focus to your ideas without needing obviously explaining them. This is the silly outfit you wear, or the symbol circulated.

Mr Bogad is an analyst in the subject and an experienced participant. He's written a text on the subject, and taught workshops around the world.

"One can look back to the Middle Ages – when people are dominated, absurd humor is used to express dissent a little bit and while maintaining a layer of protection."

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

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