Children Promise to Shun Toy Weapons, Are Given Puppets
Dozens of children received free hand puppets Friday in exchange for pledging not to play with toy guns. The youngsters made the promise as a pro-peace organization kicked off its 10th annual anti-war-toy campaign Friday.
Sitting at a table on the crowded Third Street Promenade dressed as Santa Claus, peace activist Jerry Rubin of the Alliance for Survival said he handed out more than 35 puppets depicting McGruff, a crime-fighting dog.
Rubin also gave children personalized award certificates for agreeing not to play with or own “battle-related” toys, which he said can lead children to play with real guns.
“Even though they’re not being sold anymore, there are still thousands and thousands of realistic-looking toy guns in homes,” Rubin said.
In the past, Alliance for Survival has staged public burials and meltdowns of castoff war-themed toys.
Two children had handed in toy guns in exchange for puppets by Friday afternoon, Rubin said.
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