The colorful and popular Mighty Morphin Power Rangers could be found among the several hundred toy action figures, guns and swords collected last week at 23 preschools and day-care centers and at three WTTW Stores of Knowledge in Chicago and suburbs as part of the Toy Weapon Wipe-Out program.
The program was organized by the Chicago Metropolitan Association for the Education of Young Children, a 2,500-member area chapter of a national association of early childhood professionals.
Children who gave up their toys were given a 20 percent discount coupon at the stores.
Blakely Bundy, co-chairwoman of the Chicago chapter’s publicity committee, said, “We think we need to increase awareness on the impact these toys have on how children play and their ability to solve problems . . . in their neighborhoods.”
The Power Ranger toys and TV show are of particular concern, she said.
“There is no purpose for the (show’s) violence,” she said. “And there is a mimicking of that behavior on the playground.”