Women arrested for throwing teddy bears in parliament

Two Ottawa women have been arrested for throwing teddy bears in Canada's House of Commons.

They were supporting a man jailed for lobbing stuffed toys during the Summit of the Americas.

Other supporters turned up at Edmonton police station in Canada admitting they too were responsible for launching a huge catapult full of soft toys over the security fence surrounding the summit.

Jaggi Singh has been jailed in advance of his trial for using the catapult. The protesters took a signed confession to the police, saying they had all taken part in the stunt.

Mr Singh is charged with possession of a dangerous weapon and breach of bail conditions, according to reports.

Jonathan Oppenheim, a spokesman for the Edmonton group, said: "The people that signed the confession hope to put enough pressure on the Crown to drop the ludicrous charges against Jaggi Singh.

"The charges are a bit silly given that this catapult was just lobbing stuffed animals."

The activists' confession read: "The catapult was a prop which was used in an absolutely non-violent manner to mock the absurdity of holding the secretive and undemocratic summit within a walled fortress."

The women in Ottawa, Rebecca Lake and Marika Schwandt, were led away from parliament after unfurling a banner reading 'Decriminalise Democracy'.

Liberal MP Dan McTeague said: "If you have a statement to make, make it by the ballot or make it verbally. Write us a letter or do what you have to do, but throwing stuff at us doesn't accomplish anything."