A year ago, Pussy Riot didn’t even exist. But now the Russian punk band has gained a global reputation for its political and musical demonstrations, and very public stance against Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Three of the band’s members, Nadezhda Tolokonnikova, Maria Alekhina, and Yekaterina Samutsevich, are now behind bars because of their Putin protest.
Back in February, Pussy Riot staged a protest in front of Christ the Savior Cathedral, Moscow’s main cathedral. Dancing and high-kicking, they shouted a “punk prayer” that asked the Virgin Mary to deliver Russia from Putin, who was set to win a third term in a March presidential election.
As a result, they were arrested and tried on charges of hooliganism motivated by religious hatred. They were convicted Friday, and given a two-year jail sentence.
The Russian Orthodox Church, state media, and Putin’s United Russia Party have all vilified the band. However, the members of Pussy Riot have been hailed as heroes and attracted a following from others in Russia and around the world.
During the trial, Tolokonnivkova apologized to anyone who was offended by the protest, emphasizing it was not the band’s intention. “We wish that those who cannot understand us can forgive us,” she said in a written statement, read in court by her lawyer.
“The words we spoke and our entire punk performance was aimed to express our disapproval of a specific political event: the patriarch’s support of Vladimir Putin, who has taken an authoritarian and anti-feminist course. Our performance contained no aggression towards the audience, but only a desperate desire to change the political situation in Russia for the better.”
Get daily National news
Supporters are demanding the women’s freedom.
In one of the most extravagant displays, Reykjavik Mayor Jon Gnarr rode through the streets of the Icelandic capital in a gay pride parade this month dressed like a band member – wearing a bright pink dress and matching balaclava – while lip-synching to one of Pussy Riot’s songs.
Amnesty International has declared the women prisoners of conscience and collected tens of thousands of petitions to be sent to the Russian government. So far, though, the human rights group said it has been blocked from delivering them. Two boxes containing 70,000 petitions were taken to the Russian Embassy in Washington on Tuesday, but a Russian diplomat carried them outside and dumped them on the sidewalk, according to Amnesty International spokeswoman Sharon Singh.
“He did not want them anywhere on Russian soil,” she told The Associated Press by telephone on Wednesday.
Repeated calls from the AP to the embassy have been unanswered.
Celebrities are weighing in as well. Madonna donned a balaclava during a concert in Moscow this month and had “Pussy Riot” written on her bare back. Yoko Ono sent a personal message to Samutsevich, saying that “the power of your every word is now growing in us.”
On her website, Icelandic pop star Bjork issued a statement saying, “As a musician and a mother, I would like to express I fiercely don’t agree with them being put (in) jail because of their peaceful protest performance…”
“In my opinion, the Russian authorities should let them go home to their families and children,” Bjork said, adding that she wanted Pussy Riot to join her on stage to perform a song.
Other countries have expressed their concerns as well. The U.S. State Department called the case a “politically motivated prosecution of the Russian opposition and pressure on those who express dissenting views.”
In France, Culture Minister Aurelie Filippetti last week issued a statement saying artistic freedom was on trial.
A German cross-party group of lawmakers sent a letter to the Russian ambassador calling the time the band members have spent in custody and the possible prison terms “draconian and disproportionate” punishment.
“In a secular and pluralistic state, peaceful artistic activities – even if they may be seen as a provocation – should not lead to accusations of a serious crime and long prison sentences,” the lawmakers said in the letter, which more than 100 members of parliament signed.
Demonstrations in favour of the band have been held in numerous cities, including Berlin, where last week about 400 people joined Canadian electro-pop performance artist Peaches to support the band. Additional protests are planned for Friday, including ones in Toronto, Washington and New York. The band’s lawyers are coordinating those demonstrations.
The international press has been full of critical reports from the trial. One of Germany’s most influential magazines, Der Spiegel, featured the band on its cover with a picture of Tolokonnikova behind bars and the headline “Putin’s Russia.”
In the meantime, Pussy Riot isn’t afraid of the consequences that comes from speaking out. “For me, it is just one big chunk of happiness to be a Pussy Riot girl,” Button said.
Comments
Want to discuss? Please read our Commenting Policy first.