Toys protest against Putin

PLEASE NOTE: THIS EDIT CONTAINS CONVERTED 4:3 MATERIAL

Russians gathered in snowy weather to witness a protest by toys.

Yes, toys.

About a couple dozens of stuffed animals and plastic figurines were placed in the city square of Barnaul.

Protest organiser said they are calling for an end to the rule of Vladimir Putin.

(SOUNDBITE) (Russian) TOY PROTEST ORGANISER SERGEI MAMAYEV, SAYING:

"This meeting is expressing the opinion of not only toys, but the population of our whole Russia, a huge country. Now, the rally is against the current authorities, the people who in fact have seized power in Russia. Against the party of thieves and how do you say it? Goodness! Swindlers and thieves, that's it, to say it correctly."

To make the protest more absurd, a police officer stood over the toys and wrote a report.

Locals need permission to protest in groups.

But now the authorities are rejecting permission for the toys, saying they are not legal citizens.

Sophia Soo, Reuters.