The Journey of Conservative Icon to Anti-ICE Emblem: This Unexpected Evolution of the Amphibian

This protest movement won't be broadcast, yet it might possess webbed feet and bulging eyes.

It also might feature the horn of a unicorn or a chicken's feathers.

As rallies opposing the leadership continue in US cities, protesters have embraced the energy of a local block party. They've provided dance instruction, given away treats, and ridden unicycles, while armed law enforcement observe.

Mixing comedy and politics – a strategy social scientists term "tactical frivolity" – is not new. But it has become a defining feature of protests in the United States in recent years, adopted by both left and right.

And one symbol has proven to be notably significant – the frog. It started after recordings of an encounter between a man in a frog suit and immigration enforcement agents in the city of Portland, went viral. From there, it proliferated to rallies nationwide.

"A great deal at play with that small inflatable frog," notes an expert, who teaches at UC Davis and a Guggenheim Fellow who focuses on creative activism.

The Path From a Cartoon Frog to the Streets of Portland

It is difficult to examine demonstrations and amphibians without talking about Pepe, a cartoon character co-opted by online communities during an election cycle.

As the character gained popularity online, its purpose was to convey specific feelings. Afterwards, its use evolved to express backing for a political figure, even a particular image shared by that figure personally, depicting the frog with a signature suit and hair.

Images also circulated in digital spaces in more extreme scenarios, portrayed as a hate group member. Participants traded "unique frog images" and set up cryptocurrency in his name. His catchphrase, "feels good, man", was used a shared phrase.

But the character did not originate so controversial.

Its creator, the illustrator, has been vocal about his unhappiness for its co-option. The character was intended as simply an apolitical figure in his series.

The frog first appeared in a series of comics in the mid-2000s – non-political and famous for a particular bathroom habit. A film, which follows Mr Furie's efforts to wrest back control of his work, he said the character was inspired by his time with companions.

When he began, Mr Furie tried sharing his art to the nascent social web, where other users began to copy, alter, and reinterpret his character. As Pepe spread into darker parts of the internet, the creator tried to disavow his creation, including ending its life in a comic strip.

Yet the frog persisted.

"It proves the lack of control over icons," says Prof Bogad. "They transform and be reworked."

Previously, the notoriety of this meme meant that frogs became a symbol for conservative politics. This shifted recently, when a viral moment between a protestor wearing an inflatable frog costume and an immigration officer in Portland, Oregon captured global attention.

This incident came just days after a decision to deploy military personnel to Portland, which was called "a warzone". Activists began to gather in droves at a specific location, just outside of an immigration enforcement facility.

Emotions ran high and an immigration officer used irritant at a protester, aiming directly into the ventilation of the puffy frog costume.

The individual, the man in the costume, responded with a joke, stating it tasted like "spicier tamales". But the incident became a sensation.

The costume was somewhat typical for the city, known for its quirky culture and activist demonstrations that delight in the absurd – public yoga, 80s-style aerobics lessons, and unique parades. Its creed is "Keep Portland Weird."

The frog even played a role in subsequent court proceedings between the administration and the city, which claimed the use of troops overstepped authority.

Although a judge decided in October that the administration had the right to deploy troops, a minority opinion disagreed, mentioning the protesters' "propensity for donning inflatable costumes when expressing opposition."

"It is easy to see the court's opinion, which adopts the government's characterization as a war zone, as merely absurd," Judge Susan Graber stated. "But today's decision goes beyond absurdity."

The deployment was halted by courts just a month later, and personnel are said to have left the city.

But by then, the amphibian costume had become a powerful anti-administration symbol for the left.

The inflatable suit was seen in many cities at anti-authoritarian protests recently. Frogs appeared – 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 backordered on online retailers, and saw its cost increase.

Mastering the Visual Story

What connects both frogs together – is the interplay between the humorous, benign cartoon and a deeper political meaning. This is what "tactical frivolity."

The strategy relies on what the professor calls the "irresistible image" – usually humorous, it's a "disarming and charming" performance that draws focus to a message without obviously explaining them. It's the unusual prop you wear, or the meme circulated.

Mr Bogad is an analyst on this topic and an experienced participant. He authored a text called 'Tactical Performance', and taught workshops internationally.

"You could go back to historical periods – under oppressive regimes, they use absurdity to speak the truth a little bit and still have a layer of protection."

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

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