Russian Authorities Aren’t Toying Around

After a protest against the Russian government composed entirely of plush toys and figurines captured the attention of the press and local authorities in Barnaul, Russia, last month, government officials have gone so far as to specify that inanimate playthings can’t assemble for public political gatherings.

But did this strategy work? That would be a nyet. In fact, the ban only seemed to encourage perpetrators to create occasions to bring their special friends together for even more playdates involving banners and witty jabs at the Kremlin.  —KA

The Guardian:

At the time, Russian authorities in Barnaul declared the protest “an unsanctioned public event”.

Now a petition to hold another protest featuring 100 Kinder Surprise toys, 100 Lego people, 20 model soldiers, 15 soft toys and 10 toy cars has been rejected because the toys have been deemed not to be “citizens of Russia”.

[...] The number of people, and their toys, wanting to take part has risen dramatically since then.

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AP / Alexander Natruskin

This one’s OK: Russian President Dmitry Medvedev holds a soft toy, a victory symbol from the 25th Winter World Universiade Games, during a meeting with medalists at the Kremlin in February 2011.