CPT: CHICAGO: Christian Peacemakers Challenge Toys-R-Us
Maxine Nunn
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RE: CHICAGO: Christian Peacemakers Challenge Toys-R-Us
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CPTNET
January 4, 1997
Christian Peacemakers Challenge Toys-R-Us
CHICAGO -- "Little drummer boy" Sam Stackhouse, 9, of North Suburban
Mennonite Church, led Christian Peacemaker Teams' fourth peace witness
against violent toys on New Year's day. Some 40 people marched to the
Toys-R-Us store on State Street in downtown Chicago, calling on the retail
chain to stop selling war toys, violent video games, and action figures
that teach children violence.
The witness coincided with the beginning of Christian Peacemaker Teams
(CPT) annual nonviolence training for 16 new members of its fulltime and
reserve peacemaker corps. The CPT supporters and trainees were joined by
the choir of a Filipino United Church of Christ and other Chicago
peacemakers. Abel Amago, a member of the Philippine-UCC, is the first
ordained minister to take part in the CPT peacemaker corps training.
"Marching to the beat of a different drummer" the group marched from the
steps of Chicago's Art Institute to Toys-R-Us, three blocks away.
Accompanied by the singing of alternative lyrics to the tune of familiar
Christmas carols, the group attempted to enter the store but was turned
away by security personnel.
CPT trainees and volunteers who entered the store before other marchers
arrived were led out by security after they began a "teach-in," sang
carols, and unfurled a banner that read,
"Kids learn what they play. War toys teach violence." The witness outside
the store concluded with a teach-in on the sidewalk and a performance by
the Philippine-UCC Chicago chancel choir singing alternative words to "The
Little Drummer Boy" (see below).
The witness was organized following personal conversation and
correspondence between CPT and Toys-R-Us. CPT congratulated Toys-R-Us for
taking "look-alike" guns--toy guns that look like real guns--off its
shelves. However, the group continued to challenge the nation's leading toy
chain to follow the lead of other companies that do not sell violent toys.
Violent toys "send children the wrongful message that violence is just a
game," CPT wrote to Toys-R-Us chief operating officer Robert Nakasone. "We
continue to be disturbed that a toy store would market the equivalent of
R-rated products which are not suitable for children."
The sixteen-member CPT training group is the largest yet in the history of
the 10-year-old organization. Trainees participate in three weeks of
study, worship, and exercises in preparation for assignments in situations
of conflict. Christian Peacemaker Teams are currently active in Hebron, on
the West Bank, and in Haiti.
The trainees are Philippine-UCC member Abel Amago, of Wheaton, Ill.;
Mennonites Mark Frey (Newton, Kan.), Nancy Frey (St. Jacobs, Ontario),
Pierre Gingerich (Ithaca, N.Y.), Julie Hart (Newton, Kan.), JoAnne Lingle
(Indianapolis, Ind.), Rich Meyer (Millersburg, Ind.), Lois Nafziger
(Goshen, Ind.), Sara Reschly (Tucson, Ariz.), Pierre Shantz (Waterloo,
Ontario), and Janet Shoemaker (Goshen, Ind.); Quakers Eric Graham, of
Philadelphia, Pa., and Kathy Kamphoefner, of Fort Wayne, Ind.; Church of
the Brethren members Cliff Kindy, of North Manchester, Ind., and Cheryl
Cayford, of Elgin Ill.; and Presbyterian Janice Munds, of Hutchinson, Kan.
Christian Peacemaker Teams is an initiative among Mennonite and Church of
the Brethren congregations and Friends meetings that support violence
reduction efforts around the world.
The Little Drummer Boy (adapted)
"Come," they told me, pa-rum pa-pum-pum
"To Toys-R-Us and see," pa-rum pa-pum-pum
"Our finest toys and games," pa-rum pa-pum-pum
"To help your children play," pa-rum pa-pum-pum
Rum-pa-pum-pum, rum-pa-pum-pum.
Then we saw them, pa-rum pa-pum-pum,
Ninjas and guns.
Toys that teach our kids to glorify war
And destroy enemies are here in this store.
Yes, GI Joe and all his armaments
That numb our children's hearts and every sense
To the consequence of real violence.
So our children learn, pa-rum pa-pum-pum
That killing is fun.
With a message of peace we must
Unite this New Year's Day at Toys-R-Us.
Researchers tell us children learn what they play.
They need to learn that violence isn't OK,
War is not play, peace is the way.
Take the images of violence and gore
Out of your store.
Christian Peacemaker Teams is a program of Mennonite,
Church of the Brethren and Quaker bodies.
CPT, P. O. Box 6508, Chicago, IL 60680,
O:312-455-1199
FAX 312-666-2677
email: c...@igc.org
WEB www/prairienet.org/cpt