The Journey of Right-Wing Symbol to Resistance Emblem: The Remarkable Evolution of the Frog

The revolution isn't broadcast, but it could have amphibious toes and large eyes.

It also might feature the horn of a unicorn or the plumage of a chicken.

Whilst protests against the leadership persist in American cities, participants have embraced the energy of a neighborhood dress-up party. They've offered salsa lessons, given away treats, and ridden unicycles, while police look on.

Combining comedy and politics – an approach researchers term "tactical frivolity" – isn't novel. Yet it has transformed into a defining feature of US demonstrations in this period, embraced by various groups.

One particular emblem has emerged as particularly salient – the frog. It began when video footage of an encounter between an individual in a frog suit and ICE agents in the city of Portland, became an internet sensation. It subsequently appeared to rallies nationwide.

"A great deal happening with that little blow-up amphibian," says an expert, a professor at University of California, Davis and a Guggenheim Fellow who studies political performance.

From Pepe to Portland

It is difficult to discuss demonstrations and amphibians without mentioning Pepe, an illustrated figure embraced by online communities during a political race.

Initially, when the meme initially spread online, people used it to convey certain emotions. Subsequently, its use evolved to show support for a political figure, including a particular image endorsed by the candidate personally, portraying the frog with a signature suit and hair.

The frog was also portrayed in certain internet forums in offensive ways, as a historical dictator. Users exchanged "rare Pepes" and established digital currency in his name. His catchphrase, "that feels good", was used an inside joke.

But its beginnings were not this divisive.

The artist behind it, artist Matt Furie, has stated about his distaste for its appropriation. His creation was meant as simply a relaxed amphibian in this artist's universe.

This character debuted in an online comic in the mid-2000s – non-political and notable for a quirky behavior. In 'Feels Good Man', which documents Mr Furie's efforts to wrest back control of his creation, he stated his drawing came from his time with companions.

As he started out, Mr Furie tried uploading his work to the nascent social web, where the community began to copy, alter, and reinterpret his character. As Pepe spread into the more extreme corners of the internet, the creator attempted to distance himself from his creation, including ending its life in a comic strip.

Yet the frog persisted.

"It shows that we don't control icons," explains Prof Bogad. "They can change and shift and be reworked."

For a long time, the association of this meme meant that frogs became a symbol for conservative politics. This shifted recently, when an incident between a protestor dressed in an inflatable frog costume and a federal agent in Portland, Oregon captured global attention.

This incident occurred shortly after a directive to deploy military personnel to Portland, which was called "a warzone". Activists began to gather in droves at a specific location, near a federal building.

Tensions were high and an immigration officer deployed a chemical agent at a protester, targeting the air intake fan of the inflatable suit.

Seth Todd, the man in the costume, responded with a joke, stating it tasted like "spicier tamales". However, the video became a sensation.

Mr Todd's attire was somewhat typical for the city, renowned for its eccentric vibe and left-wing protests that embrace the ridiculous – public yoga, retro fitness classes, and nude cycling groups. Its creed is "Embrace the Strange."

This symbol even played a role in a lawsuit between the federal government and Portland, which argued the deployment was unlawful.

Although the court ruled that month that the administration was within its rights to deploy troops, a minority opinion disagreed, mentioning the protesters' "well-known penchant for donning inflatable costumes when expressing their disagreement."

"Some might view the majority's ruling, which adopts the government's characterization as a war zone, as merely absurd," she opined. "Yet the outcome has serious implications."

The deployment was stopped legally subsequently, and troops withdrew from the city.

However, by that time, the frog had transformed into a potent symbol of resistance for progressive movements.

The inflatable suit was spotted nationwide at No Kings protests recently. There were frogs – along with other creatures – in major US cities. They appeared in small towns and big international cities like Tokyo and London.

The inflatable suit was sold out on online retailers, and rose in price.

Shaping the Optics

What brings Pepe and the protest frog – lies in the interplay between the silly, innocent image and a deeper political meaning. This is what "tactical frivolity."

The strategy relies on what Mr Bogad terms the "irresistible image" – usually humorous, it's a "disarming and charming" performance that draws focus to a message without needing directly articulating them. This is the unusual prop you wear, or the meme circulated.

Mr Bogad is both an expert on this topic and someone who uses these tactics. He's written a text called 'Tactical Performance', and taught workshops around the world.

"One can look back to historical periods – when people are dominated, absurd humor is used to speak the truth indirectly and still have plausible deniability."

The purpose of this approach is three-fold, he explains.

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