The Journey of Far-Right Icon to Protest Emblem: The Unexpected Transformation of the Amphibian

The resistance may not be televised, but it could have amphibious toes and large eyes.

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

As rallies opposing the government carry on in US cities, protesters are adopting the vibe of a community costume parade. They've offered salsa lessons, handed out treats, and performed on unicycles, as police watch.

Mixing comedy and political action – a strategy experts term "tactical frivolity" – has historical precedent. However, it has emerged as a hallmark of US demonstrations in the current era, used by all sides of the political spectrum.

And one symbol has risen to become particularly salient – the frog. It began after recordings of a confrontation between a protester in a frog suit and immigration enforcement agents in Portland, Oregon, went viral. From there, it proliferated to rallies throughout the United States.

"There's a lot happening with that small blow-up amphibian," notes LM Bogad, a professor at University of California, Davis and an academic who focuses on creative activism.

The Path From a Cartoon Frog to the Streets of Portland

It's hard to examine protests and frogs without addressing Pepe, a cartoon character co-opted by extremist movements throughout an election cycle.

As the meme initially spread on the internet, its purpose was to convey specific feelings. Subsequently, it was deployed to express backing for a candidate, including one notable meme endorsed by the candidate personally, depicting the frog with a signature suit and hair.

Images also circulated in right-wing online communities in darker contexts, portrayed as a hate group member. Online conservatives exchanged "unique frog images" and set up digital currency in his name. His catchphrase, "feels good, man", was used a coded signal.

But the character did not originate as a political symbol.

Its creator, artist Matt Furie, has been vocal about his disapproval for its co-option. Pepe was supposed to be simply a relaxed amphibian in his series.

Pepe first appeared in an online comic in the mid-2000s – apolitical and famous for a quirky behavior. In a documentary, which follows the creator's attempt to wrest back control of his creation, he said his drawing came from his experiences with friends and roommates.

Early in his career, Mr Furie tried sharing his art to early internet platforms, where other users began to borrow, remix and reinvent the frog. As its popularity grew into the more extreme corners of online spaces, the creator sought to reject his creation, including ending its life in a final panel.

However, its legacy continued.

"It shows that creators cannot own symbols," explains Prof Bogad. "They can change and shift and be reworked."

Until recently, the popularity of this meme meant that frogs were largely associated with the right. This shifted on a day in October, when a confrontation between an activist wearing a blow-up amphibian suit and a federal agent in Portland went viral.

The event followed a directive to send military personnel to the city, which was called "war-ravaged". Demonstrators began to congregate on a single block, just outside of an immigration enforcement facility.

The situation was tense and an immigration officer used pepper spray at a protester, targeting the ventilation of the puffy frog costume.

The protester, the man in the costume, reacted humorously, remarking it tasted like "something milder". Yet the footage went viral.

Mr Todd's attire was somewhat typical for Portland, renowned for its quirky culture and activist demonstrations that embrace the unusual – outdoor exercise, 80s-style aerobics lessons, and nude cycling groups. A local saying is "Keep Portland Weird."

The costume became part of in subsequent court proceedings between the federal government and Portland, which argued the use of troops was illegal.

Although a ruling was issued that month that the administration had the right to deploy troops, a dissenting judge wrote, mentioning demonstrators' "propensity for using unusual attire when expressing their disagreement."

"Observers may be tempted this decision, which adopts the description of Portland as a battlefield, as merely absurd," she stated. "However, this ruling is not merely absurd."

The deployment was stopped legally soon after, and troops have reportedly departed the city.

But by then, the amphibian costume was now a powerful protest icon for progressive movements.

The inflatable suit was spotted nationwide at No Kings protests last autumn. There were frogs – along with other creatures – in major US cities. They appeared in small towns and global metropolises abroad.

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

Shaping the Visual Story

The link between both frogs together – lies in the interplay between the silly, innocent image and underlying political significance. Experts call this "tactical frivolity."

The strategy is based on what Mr Bogad calls the "irresistible image" – usually humorous, it's a "disarming and charming" display that draws focus to your ideas without needing obviously explaining them. It's the unusual prop used, or the symbol circulated.

The professor is both an expert in the subject and someone who uses these tactics. He's written a book called 'Tactical Performance', and taught workshops around the world.

"One can look back to historical periods – under oppressive regimes, absurd humor is used to speak the truth indirectly and while maintaining plausible deniability."

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

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