How Far-Right Icon to Anti-ICE Emblem: The Surprising Transformation of the Frog

This resistance isn't televised, though it may feature amphibious toes and large eyes.

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

While protests opposing the administration continue in US cities, protesters are utilizing the spirit of a local block party. They've offered salsa lessons, given away treats, and ridden unicycles, as armed law enforcement observe.

Combining levity and politics – a strategy experts refer to as "tactical frivolity" – is not new. But it has become a signature characteristic of American protest in this period, adopted by various groups.

One particular emblem has proven to be notably significant – the frog. It started when recordings of a clash between a protester in a frog suit and immigration enforcement agents in the city of Portland, spread online. From there, it proliferated to demonstrations across the country.

"There's a lot happening with that small blow-up amphibian," states a professor, a professor at UC Davis and a Guggenheim Fellow who studies performance art.

The Path From a Cartoon Frog to Portland

It is difficult to talk about demonstrations and amphibians without talking about Pepe, an illustrated figure adopted by far-right groups during a political race.

Initially, when this image initially spread online, its purpose was to express specific feelings. Later, it was utilized to express backing for a political figure, even a particular image retweeted by the candidate himself, portraying the frog with recognizable attire and hairstyle.

Images also circulated in certain internet forums in more extreme scenarios, portrayed as a historical dictator. Online conservatives traded "unique frog images" and set up digital currency in his name. Its famous line, "feels good, man", was used a shared phrase.

However its beginnings were not so controversial.

Matt Furie, the illustrator, has expressed about his unhappiness for its co-option. Pepe was supposed to be simply an apolitical figure in this artist's universe.

This character debuted in a series of comics in the mid-2000s – non-political and notable for a particular bathroom habit. In 'Feels Good Man', which follows Mr Furie's efforts to reclaim ownership of his work, he said the character was inspired by his time with friends and roommates.

Early in his career, Mr Furie tried uploading his work to early internet platforms, where other users began to borrow, remix and reinvent the frog. As Pepe spread into darker parts of online spaces, Mr Furie tried to disavow the frog, including ending its life in a comic strip.

Yet the frog persisted.

"It proves that we don't control imagery," says the professor. "Their meaning can evolve and be reclaimed."

Until recently, the notoriety of this meme meant that amphibian imagery were largely associated with conservative politics. A transformation occurred in early October, when an incident between a protestor wearing an inflatable frog costume and a federal agent in Portland went viral.

The event came just days after an order to deploy the National Guard to the city, which was described as "a warzone". Demonstrators began to gather in droves at a specific location, just outside of an ICE office.

Tensions were high and an immigration officer deployed pepper spray at a protester, targeting the air intake fan of the costume.

The individual, Seth Todd, responded with a joke, stating it tasted like "something milder". Yet the footage spread everywhere.

Mr Todd's attire was somewhat typical for Portland, renowned for its eccentric vibe and left-wing protests that revel in the absurd – public yoga, retro fitness classes, and unique parades. Its creed is "Keep Portland Weird."

The costume even played a role in subsequent court proceedings between the administration and Portland, which contended the deployment was unlawful.

Although a ruling was issued that month that the president had the right to send personnel, a minority opinion disagreed, referencing in her ruling the protesters' "well-known penchant for using unusual attire when expressing their disagreement."

"Observers may be tempted the majority's ruling, which adopts the description of Portland as a battlefield, as merely absurd," Judge Susan Graber stated. "Yet the outcome is not merely absurd."

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

However, by that time, the amphibian costume had transformed into a potent anti-administration symbol for the left.

This symbol was seen across the country at anti-authoritarian protests that fall. Amphibian costumes were present – and unicorns and axolotls and dinosaurs – in major US cities. They were in rural communities and global metropolises abroad.

The frog costume was backordered on major websites, and became more expensive.

Controlling the Optics

What brings the two amphibian symbols – is the dynamic between the silly, innocent image and underlying political significance. This is what "tactical frivolity."

The tactic rests on what Mr Bogad calls a "disarming display" – often silly, it acts as a "appealing and non-threatening" display that highlights a message without needing directly articulating them. It's the silly outfit used, or the symbol you share.

The professor is an analyst in the subject and a veteran practitioner. He authored a book called 'Tactical Performance', and taught workshops around the world.

"One can look back to the Middle Ages – when people are dominated, they use absurdity to express dissent a little bit and while maintaining plausible deniability."

The purpose of such tactics is three-fold, Mr Bogad says.

When protesters take on authority, a silly costume {takes control of|seizes|influences