The Journey of Right-Wing Icon to Anti-ICE Emblem: The Unexpected Transformation of the Frog

The revolution won't be televised, but it could have amphibious toes and large eyes.

Furthermore, it may involve a unicorn's horn or a chicken's feathers.

As demonstrations against the government persist in US cities, participants are utilizing the vibe of a local block party. They've provided salsa lessons, handed out snacks, and performed on unicycles, as police look on.

Blending humour and politics – a tactic researchers call "tactical frivolity" – isn't novel. However, it has emerged as a hallmark of protests in the United States in recent years, used by various groups.

One particular emblem has risen to become especially powerful – the frog. It originated when video footage of an encounter between a man in an amphibian costume and ICE agents in Portland, Oregon, went viral. And it has since spread to protests across the country.

"There is much at play with that humble inflatable frog," states LM Bogad, a professor at University of California, Davis and a Guggenheim Fellow who focuses on political performance.

The Path From Pepe to Portland

It's hard to discuss demonstrations and amphibians without talking about Pepe, a web comic frog embraced by far-right groups throughout a political race.

As the character gained popularity online, it was used to signal certain emotions. Later, it was utilized to show support for a candidate, even one notable meme shared by the candidate himself, showing the frog with a signature suit and hair.

The frog was also portrayed in right-wing online communities in darker contexts, as a historical dictator. Users traded "unique frog images" and established digital currency in his name. His catchphrase, "that feels good", was used a coded signal.

Yet the character did not originate as a political symbol.

Its creator, the illustrator, has stated about his distaste for its appropriation. His creation was meant as simply a relaxed amphibian in his comic world.

Pepe debuted in comic strips in the mid-2000s – non-political and famous for a quirky behavior. In 'Feels Good Man', which documents Mr Furie's efforts to take back of his creation, he stated his drawing was inspired by his time with friends and roommates.

Early in his career, Mr Furie experimented with uploading his work to the nascent social web, where the community began to borrow, remix and reinvent the frog. When the meme proliferated into darker parts of online spaces, Mr Furie attempted to distance himself from his creation, even killing him off in a final panel.

Yet the frog persisted.

"It shows that we don't control imagery," explains the professor. "Their meaning can evolve and be reworked."

Previously, the popularity of Pepe meant that amphibian imagery were predominantly linked to conservative politics. But that changed in early October, when a confrontation between a protestor wearing a blow-up amphibian suit and a federal agent in Portland, Oregon went viral.

This incident followed a directive to deploy the National Guard to the city, which was described as "a warzone". Activists began to gather in droves on a single block, just outside of a federal building.

Tensions were high and a officer deployed irritant at a protester, targeting the ventilation of the puffy frog costume.

Seth Todd, the man in the costume, quipped, saying it tasted like "spicier tamales". However, the video spread everywhere.

Mr Todd's attire was somewhat typical for Portland, famous for its quirky culture and activist demonstrations that revel in the ridiculous – outdoor exercise, retro fitness classes, and unique parades. A local saying is "Embrace the Strange."

This symbol even played a role in the ensuing legal battle between the federal government and Portland, which contended the use of troops overstepped authority.

While the court ruled that month that the administration had the right to deploy troops, a dissenting judge wrote, referencing in her ruling demonstrators' "well-known penchant for wearing chicken suits while voicing their disagreement."

"It is easy to see the majority's ruling, which accepts the description of Portland as a war zone, as merely absurd," the dissenting judge wrote. "However, this ruling is not merely absurd."

The order was stopped legally soon after, and troops withdrew from the area.

Yet already, the frog had transformed into a significant anti-administration symbol for the left.

The costume was spotted nationwide at anti-authoritarian protests recently. Amphibian costumes were present – along with other creatures – in San Diego and Atlanta and Boston. They were in small towns and global metropolises abroad.

The frog costume was in high demand on major websites, and became more expensive.

Controlling the Narrative

What brings the two amphibian symbols – is the dynamic between the humorous, benign cartoon and a deeper political meaning. This concept is "tactical frivolity."

This approach rests on what the professor calls a "disarming display" – frequently absurd, it's a "appealing and non-threatening" act that highlights a cause without directly articulating them. This is the unusual prop used, or the meme circulated.

The professor is both an expert on this topic and someone who uses these tactics. He authored a book called 'Tactical Performance', and taught workshops around the world.

"You could go back to historical periods – when people are dominated, they use absurdity to express dissent indirectly and still have plausible deniability."

The purpose of such tactics is multi-faceted, Mr Bogad explains.

As activists confront a powerful opposition, humorous attire {takes control of|seizes|influences