TAMPA, Fla. (AP) - While puppets have been a feature of the political landscape at conventions and large-scale demonstrations for decades, officials have effectively banned them for the Republican National Convention in Tampa.
    
The Tampa Bay Times (http://bit.ly/MXo0MZ ) reports that the city has essentially declared puppets' components illegal in the RNC event zone, which covers most of the downtown area.
    
No sticks, strings or masks allowed - therefore, no puppets.
    
Tampa-area protesters have held a series of puppet-making workshops in recent weeks for those who plan to protest at the Republican National Convention in from Aug. 27-30.

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