[news] Do Not Buy War Toys Campaign Launched

[Steve Kisby]

Media Release
For Immediate Release

Do Not Buy War Toys Campaign Launched

VANCOUVER -- November 7, 2003 -- Artists Against War today launched its Do Not Buy War Toys Campaign by calling on all shoppers, in particular parents, to not buy war toys or war games. Artists Against War activists and supporters then entered a popular Vancouver toy store (Toys 'R' Us on 1145 West Broadway) and placed warning stickers on war toys and games advising shoppers of the dangers in buying those toys and games.

War toys and games increases aggression and violent behaviour in children and later in life can lead to aggression, violent behaviour, and even death when problem solving and relating to others. 

"We ask parents, is this what you really want for your children?" said Steve Kisby, one of the artists launching the campaign. "We note that we are seeing this aggressive and violent behaviour in high profile ways such as in the actions of the U.S. Administration," Kisby continued.

Betty Griffin, a grandmother and secretary of End The Arms Race, joined the group of artists putting warning labels on war toys and games sporting a "Santa Doesn't Like War Toys" button. End The Arms Race successfully convinced the Woodwards chain of department stores to stop selling war toys all together during the height of the cold war.

The placing of warning labels on war toys and games is the campaign's first action during the Christmas buying season to raise public awareness about the effects war toys and war games on children. The stickers placed on the war toys said "WARNING: This war toy promotes and may cause aggression and violent behaviour in children and may lead to aggression and violent behaviour when problem solving or relating to others."

Artists Against War is a collective of like-minded individuals working for positivity and creativity, and speaking out for peace in a world which too quickly moves towards war. What we have to offer is art in body, shape, and soul -- art of the mind, art of the spirit, art of the movement. Artists Against War's Do Not Buy War Toys Campaign is also a project of the Stopwar.ca Coalition.

-30-

For more information, contact:

Artists Against War:
Steve Kisby, 604-323-0204, 604-645-2099 (pager), skisby at web.net
http://www.artistsagainstwar.org

End The Arms Race (EAR):
Betty Griffin, 604-687-3223, 604-929-2306
http://www.peacewire.org

Stopwar.ca Coalition:
Irene MacInnes, 604-737-1299, 604-603-8537 (cell), iremac at shaw.ca
Jef Keighley, 604-522-7911, 604-506-4437 (cell), keighley at caw.ca
http://www.stopwar.ca

War Resisters League:
http://www.warresisters.org/
http://www.warresisters.org/wartoys_flyer.pdf