Three young women in Russia may spend seven years in prison for “hooliganism” after a flash punk rock performance at a Moscow church that criticized President Vladimir Putin.
Nadezhda Tolokonnikova, Maria Alekhina and Ekaterina Samutsevich, alleged members of the controversial band Pussy Riot, were arrested in March 2012 and are being held in pre-trial detention following the politically-fueled performance at Moscow’s famed Cathedral of Christ the Saviour.
Egyptian air is good for the lungs / Do Tahrir on Red Square!
Pussy Riot lyric
Pussy Riot is a Moscow-based anonymous feminist band that, for the last year and a half, has played unauthorized “flash performances” to protest government policies (watch them in action here). Pussy Riot’s members use their right to freedom of speech – through music – to shed light on what they perceive to be a corrupt government. In an interview with the Guardian, band member “Garadzha” explains:
“We understood that to achieve change, including in the sphere of women’s rights, it’s not enough to go to Putin and ask for it. This is a rotten, broken system.”
Her bandmate “Tyurya” goes on:
“The culture of protest needs to develop. We have one form, but we need many different kinds.”
They hope that through their music and performances – like the generations of musician activists worldwide who’ve come before them – they can inspire change in their country.
So what was it about their most recent performance that persuaded the government to potentially lock the women up for seven years? The song, “Virgin Mary, Redeem Us of Putin,” calls on the Virgin Mary to become a feminist and banish then Russian President-elect Vladimir Putin. It also criticized the dedication and support shown to Putin by some representatives of the Russian Orthodox Church. The performance was part of wider protests against Putin and unfair elections in Russia.
The hooliganism charge against Pussy Riot is overblown and isn’t really about disrespecting the Orthodox Church, but for challenging the return of Vladimir Putin to the Russian presidency. Using a church that was once destroyed because of intolerance to advance a governmental policy of intolerance for dissent is unacceptable.
The Cathedral of Christ the Saviour, the world’s tallest Orthodox Cathedral, where the performance occurred has its own tumultuous history with oppression and crack-down on free speech. The late 19th century Cathedral was demolished in 1931, with other houses of worship throughout the Soviet Union, by the Stalin regime. The Cathedral was rebuilt in the early 1990s. While it deserves preservation and respect, so do the human rights of the members of Pussy Riot.
If you agree, tell the Russian authorities to drop the hooliganism charges against the arrested members of Pussy Riot.
Now, why would anyone lock up Pussy Riot?…unless…someone wants a pusssy…riot?
What these women are saying must be truth else why try and shut them up?
http://www.avaaz.org/fr/petition/soutenir_et_fair…
Because, Dave, they are annoying…like you
In Russia we can be imprisoned for nothing. Just because we disagree with Putin.
What is Punky Brewster's position on this?
Their crime was speaking out against Putin, not putting on a punk rock performance. I'm sure if their act would have spoken favorably (lying) about Putin, thye would probably be overnight rock starts in Russia.
Human Rights action to help those eople who fights against corruption and politicians robery-bribery also Human Rights actions against the crazy men who abuse women and child it’s ok.
Human rights in favor of women abused by idiots who teach stupid beliefs to treat women as objects or as an enemy is ok.
Human rights in favor of murderers, robbers, rapists who are in jail/chains, especially in Brazil where they still receive government assistance imprisonment called a wage which is greater than the retirement of many older workers, then it is NO human right. It’s naughtiness!
Naughty, naughty, naughty! Eople ho ype adly houldn't ost!
I ee hat ou id here! ;D
E Usta!
Maybe Putin just doesn't like Pussy ………………………………………………………..Riot?
http://www.avaaz.org/fr/petition/soutenir_et_fair…
This commotion about events of this nature are exactly what the politicians want it to happen. So all the people get the attention to these cases and do not see anymore what harm they do to harm the general population.
I think it is already time for all of us to review our concepts about "human rights" in the face of the wave of crime and wickedness of those who become criminal just because they do not have or have had means to own a car, a boat, an iPhone, a gold chain , a de luxe watch, a shoe or bag with known label, a clothing brand or luxury label.
I also think it is time to agitate the planet telling the truth and not saying that the earth is so full and just can accomodate only 1.5 billion people. The global midia Just talks about the number of people who are born but never they say how many people die each day worldwide.
It's time to take care folks!
The worldwide order must to be: amnesty only to people who are sane and humane !
Leo…why so boring & banal?
I'm moving to Russia, where pussy is a riot.O:-)
They were not arrested for singing a song, but as long as the story sounds better thst way amnesty will make it like that