Action Alert: Easter Baskets, Jellybeans, and Grenades
April 2003
From: Office of Children, Youth and Family Advocacy
Women’s Division – General Board of Global Ministries
100 Maryland Avenue, NE Suite 530 – Washington, DC 20002
Tel. (202) 488-5660 * Fax (202) 488-5681

Heavily armed soldiers have quietly seized a new strategic position:  your Easter basket!  Wal-mart, Kmart, Rite Aid, and Genovese stores are stocking their shelves with baskets that replace chocolate eggs with plastic machine guns, assault rifles, bomber planes, and hand grenades, according to the Village Voice newspaper (http://www.villagevoice.com/issues/0310/baard2.php )

The reporter called the contents of these Easter baskets "surreal," although the Kmart spokeswoman said they were just a "lighthearted and fun gift."  Lion and Lam's executive director noted that "to market war as something fun [sends children] a very dangerous message."

If you are outraged about the way violence is being marketed to children like candy, here are three possible Action steps you can take to make your concerns known:

1.Contact Retailers

Contact Kmart's Abigail Jacobs, who called these Easter baskets a "fun gift," and tell her why you believe that violence is not child's play.  You can call her at 415-229-9769 or email her at abigail@bluelight.com .

Contact Carol Hively and thank her for Walgreens' decision to pull these Easter baskets from store shelves.  Please take an extra minute to tell her why you object to such "toys," and ask her to make a commitment that Walgreens will not sell products that market violence to children in the future.  You can contact Carol Hively at 847-914-2923 or carol.hively@walgreens.com

2.  Contact Religious Leaders:

Print out a copy of the Village Voice article, and ask your minister or priest to speak about this issue at an upcoming service.  The article quotes several religious leaders who were concerned about this type of Easter basket.  Bishop George Packard, who oversees spiritual care for Episcopalian members of the armed services, said these baskets are "really, really bizarre -- Easter baskets have been deteriorating for a long time, they've really gone over the edge."

3.  Contact the Local Media if you have a Wal-mart, Kmart, Rite-Aid or Genovese Store in your Community

These Easter baskets have caught the imagination of a number of reporters already, and you can alert additional reporters in your community about the issue.  Reporters are looking for new story ideas every day, and most are easily accessible by phone or email.  You don't need a fancy press release -- just pick up the phone or send off an email.  If you don't know which reporter to call, you could ask for the news editor or consumer, business, or education reporter at your local TV or radio station or newspaper.  You could also consider columnists who write opinion pieces.

If at all possible, visit the local Wal-Mart, Kmart, Rite Aid or Genovese before calling the reporter so you can give them a first-hand report. 

Information provided by the Lion and Lamb Project
www.lionlamb.org

For information about this project, contact the executive secretary for children, youth and family advocacy, Women's Division.