ANNUAL VIGIL IN PROTEST OF WAR TOYS AND OTHER VIOLENCE IN CHILDREN’S LIVES SATURDAY, DECEMBER 13, 4:00-5:30 P.M. Corner of Airport Rd. & Pine Ridge Rd., near Toys-R-US If we are to reach a real peace in this world, and if we are to carry on a real war against war, we shall have to begin with the children.—M. Gandhi According to new Pentagon data, the number of U.S. casualties from Operation Iraqi Freedom—troops killed, wounded or evacuated due to injury or illness—has passed 9,000. These figures do not include the number treated for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, or the number who will experience the long term effects of depleted uranium and other toxins. Our message is that in order to achieve a world without war, we must begin with the children. Play is preparation for life. When we give children guns, action figures and GI Joes, for what kind of a life are we preparing them? Ask the soldier who knows the pain. He will tell you war is not a game. It isn’t fun. He will tell you he wants to come home. Last year, Christmas stockings were laden with chocolate kisses, candy canes, AK-47 rifles and toy grenades. What will Santa have in his bag for children this year? Our message to Christmas shoppers and children: WAR KILLS. SHOULD CHILDREN TRAIN FOR IT AS THEY PLAY? WAR IS NOT CHILD’S PLAY KIDS SAY NO TO WAR DON’T BUY WAR TOYS BRING THE TROOPS HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS Bring signs and banners that register your opposition to the marketing of war and violence to children. For an anti-war toy flyer, see warresisters.org and for a list of this year’s Dirty Dozen Toys and the Top Twenty creative, nonviolent toys, see lionlamb.org