How Conservative Symbol to Protest Emblem: The Remarkable Evolution of the Frog

The resistance may not be broadcast, yet it might possess amphibious toes and bulging eyes.

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

Whilst rallies opposing the government continue in American cities, protesters have embraced the spirit of a local block party. They've provided dance instruction, handed out snacks, and performed on unicycles, as officers look on.

Combining levity and political action – a strategy social scientists term "tactical frivolity" – has historical precedent. But it has become a hallmark of protests in the United States in this period, adopted by various groups.

And one symbol has emerged as especially powerful – the frog. It began when video footage of a confrontation between an individual in a frog suit and federal officers in Portland, Oregon, spread online. And it has since spread to protests nationwide.

"There's a lot at play with that humble blow-up amphibian," says a professor, who teaches at University of California, Davis and an academic who studies performance art.

From Pepe to the Streets of Portland

It is difficult to discuss protests and frogs without mentioning Pepe, a web comic frog embraced by online communities throughout an election cycle.

When the character initially spread online, it was used to signal specific feelings. Later, it was deployed to express backing for a candidate, even a particular image endorsed by that figure himself, showing the frog with recognizable attire and hairstyle.

Pepe was also depicted in digital spaces in more extreme scenarios, as a historical dictator. Users exchanged "rare Pepes" and set up digital currency using its likeness. Its famous line, "that feels good", became a coded signal.

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

The artist behind it, artist Matt Furie, has expressed about his distaste for its co-option. Pepe was supposed to be simply an apolitical figure in his series.

Pepe debuted in comic strips in the mid-2000s – apolitical and best known for a quirky behavior. In a documentary, which follows the creator's attempt to wrest back control of his work, he explained the character came from his life with companions.

As he started out, the artist experimented with sharing his art to the nascent social web, where people online began to copy, alter, and reinterpret his character. When the meme proliferated into the more extreme corners of online spaces, the creator attempted to distance himself from the frog, even killing him off in a final panel.

However, its legacy continued.

"This demonstrates that creators cannot own imagery," states the professor. "They transform and be reworked."

For a long time, the association of this meme resulted in frogs were predominantly linked to conservative politics. This shifted on a day in October, when an incident between a protestor wearing a blow-up amphibian suit and a federal agent in Portland, Oregon captured global attention.

The moment occurred shortly after an order to deploy military personnel to the city, which was called "a warzone". Activists began to congregate outside a facility, near a federal building.

Tensions were high and an immigration officer sprayed pepper spray at the individual, aiming directly into the opening of the inflatable suit.

The protester, Seth Todd, quipped, remarking it tasted like "something milder". However, the video went viral.

The costume was somewhat typical for the city, famous for its eccentric vibe and left-wing protests that embrace the ridiculous – outdoor exercise, retro fitness classes, and nude cycling groups. A local saying is "Embrace the Strange."

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

While the court ruled in October that the president had the right to deploy troops, one judge dissented, noting in her opinion the protesters' "propensity for using unusual attire when expressing dissent."

"Some might view the court's opinion, which adopts the description of Portland as a battlefield, as merely absurd," Judge Susan Graber stated. "However, this ruling has serious implications."

The action was halted by courts soon after, and personnel withdrew from the city.

However, by that time, the frog had become a significant symbol of resistance for the left.

The costume was spotted in many cities at anti-authoritarian protests recently. Frogs appeared – along with other creatures – in major US cities. They appeared in rural communities and big international cities like Tokyo and London.

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

Mastering the Narrative

What brings Pepe and the protest frog – is the interplay between the humorous, benign cartoon and serious intent. This is what "tactical frivolity."

The strategy is based on what Mr Bogad calls the "irresistible image" – frequently absurd, it acts as a "appealing and non-threatening" display that draws focus to a cause without directly articulating them. This is the goofy costume used, or the symbol you share.

Mr Bogad is an analyst in the subject and a veteran practitioner. He authored a book on the subject, and taught workshops internationally.

"You could go back to the Middle Ages – when people are dominated, they use absurdity to express dissent indirectly and while maintaining plausible deniability."

The theory of this approach is three-fold, Mr Bogad says.

When activists take on the state, a silly costume {takes control of|seizes|influences