Oct 15, 2007 12:43 pm US/Eastern
Frustrated Parents Protest Toy Recalls In NYC
Demonstrators Gather Outside Buyout Firm After Latest Round Of Recalls
NEW YORK (CBS) ―
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Concerned consumers gathered outside of a Manhattan buyout firm, angry over the millions of toys that have been recalled this year.
CBS
Angry parents gathered outside of a buyout firm that invests in Toys 'R' Us stores in midtown Manhattan on Monday in protest, demanding improved product safety in children's toys after millions of toys have been recalled in recent months, mostly for lead content.
"I'm a mother, so I'm constantly thinking, 'Hmm, I don't know if they are safe or not,'" says Emily Khann, who spent the morning demonstrating outside Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co., (KKR) a firm that has a history of investing in companies that sell or make hazardous supplies for children.
The ongoing tensions over toys have grown thicker this year with a barrage of recalls issued by major companies, including popular names like Mattel and Fisher Price. It's created a mess for parents nationwide, leaving them with unanswered questions and uneasy concerns when toy shopping.
At home, parents wonder which toys need to be tossed. In the stores, shoppers wonder which toys are toxic, made with unacceptable lead levels.
"Clearly this seems so obvious to say to your suppliers, 'Just show us, prove to us that the toys you are making for us is safe,'" Khann says.
The demonstration held Monday comes as KKR faced lawsuits and questioning from Congress after some of its companies, including Toys 'R' Us and Dollar General, were forced to issue recalls.
The coalition's two main goals are to create added pressure in hopes of making sure all stores and companies, including buyout firms, are extra vigilant about getting the lead out of their products. They also hope to give parents the important information and resources they need.
"They do question at the cash register what's part of the recall. We're very careful here at the store," said Greg Charon, a local toy store owner.
With Halloween and the holiday season upon us, demonstrators say the time for action is now. The Coalition also has plans for a hotline for parents to call with questions about products for children, while launching a program to provide free lead test kits. It also calls for KKR to sign onto a code of conduct, and adopt safety standards at all its stores.
Stay with wcbstv.com and CBS 2 for the latest in this developing story.
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