Amnesty
Action - the event itself
It is important that children get some personal reward - something to take home for exchanging their toys. It could be a badge or poster from the Peace Pledge Union, a free face-paint or a friendship bracelet.
A
public war toys amnesty action
This could take place in a public open space with lots of passers-by,
an inside space such as library or theatre foyer or an inside space where
you would invite people in such as a community hall. It would be designed
to attract public support and media attention.
Choosing a date and a venue go hand in hand because it can be awkward getting the venue you want on the date you want. Bear in mind the need for alternatives and flexibility. The best times to hold public events are Saturdays (or Sundays if you're planning to locate the action at shops that are open) and evenings where there's late-opening in the run up to Christmas. Ideas for venues include: town hall, school, church or village halls, parks, gardens and city farms, community centres, shopping centres, outside toy shops (especially chain stores).
Any public place needs the permission of your District or Town Council. At shopping malls and some forecourts you'll need the permission of the owners/ managers. Wherever you try to hold your amnesty action, obtain permission or risk getting moved on by police or private security staff. Remember that your prime responsibility is to the safety and well-being of the children. If you have not obtained prior permission and you get moved on explain carefully to the children what is happening and offer re-assurance.
It is worth investigating if there are any other events going on in your area which you could take part in or inviting support from local CND, Quakers, Unitarians etc. The Culture of Peace Campaign should be able to give you information about some events. Their contact details are on the Resources page (sheet h).
A
'private' event
If your group or your district don't feel able to hold an event of this
scale or in such a public location then feel free to adapt it. One suggestion
is to hold an amnesty action on your group night or combined with another
Woodcraft group. Use the same ideas, collect war toys or pictures of them
and make something beautiful in the same way as the public event. It needs
as much planning and it's still well worth inviting family, friends, local
community leaders and the local press.
War
toys sculptures
If your group has a skilled art and craft leader or parent then set them
early on the task of devising and preparing the creative part of the event.
You could also bring in a community artist especially if you can find
a fund to pay for them. In either case encourage the children to express
their ideas and choose methods.
The toys that will be handed in for use will be all shapes and sizes, made from all sorts of materials. You might get a battered old tin tank, a plastic crossbow, a model destroyer in wood and a military strategy game in cardboard!
It's a good idea, but not that easy, to try and forget what they represent and just think of them as basic materials for cutting, sawing, twisting, sticking and so on. If you've a fair collection prior to the event then you've more time to use imagination. If you don't get any toys till the day or evening then you'll all have to think quick. Have a plan ready.
Build
up from a base
Making an intentional shape will also require a firm base and means of
attaching object (or bits of them) to one another. Look at what you've
got in respect of weight and solidity and be prepared to do lots of dismantling
or cutting. Firmness might be easier if you build around a box or tube
or make a chicken wire shape. You can also use self-setting clay in which
to embed objects. If you think height will be difficult to achieve then
make a chunky montage on a shape drawn on a big board.
Attach
to a tree
You can either use a real tree and attach or hang re-decorated toys on
it or create the tree from solid materials. A tripod of canes, lashed
at the top, can be a trunk.
Make
a mobile
If you've something secure from which you can hang objects then a mobile
made from wire and string becomes a possibility. Attach toys carefully
and decorate them in situ. A mobile may also be difficult to move for
display elsewhere.
Peace
Weaving
Make a sturdy frame in advance and tie in strong warps and wefts. Objects
are then woven in along with bright ribbons or strips of coloured paper.
Whatever you do - take pictures and let the media know in advance and us afterwards
