Tag: Russia

July 21, 2012 - The all-girl activist punk band "Pussy Riot" from Russia is on trial in Moscow for a political free speech action/stunt they pulled recently at the cathedral of the largest Russian Orthodox Church, and the trial has divided the country over how far free speech should go and how far the state should limit free speech, and have ran into the powerful Russian Orthodox Church. The women, who often perform in public scantily clad to attract attention to their message, have battled Vladimir Putin over the years because they see his policies as anti-women and authoritarian that limits free speech.

In February of 2012 the 5 women briefly "took over" the altar at Christ the Saviour Cathedral and chanted, "Mother Mary, Drive Putin away!", and did a high-kicking cancan-style dance. They were arrested, but a judge has released them because many have children they need to take care of. The girls face up to 7 years in prison if convicted. Read more on HuffPo here, and check out a video below from MYNEWZCENTRAL on YouTube interviewing Russians on asking them how they feel about the trial. (Photo credit: IgorMukhin/Wiki)

(Photo credit: pussy-riot.livejournal.com)

FEB 27, 2012 - Pussy Riot is a Russian feminist punk musical activist band who stages illegal concerts and protests, often from rooftops, protesting issues such as women's rights in Russia and most recently the policies and re-election campaign of Prime Minister Putin. Wearing skimpy outfits even in cold weather and stylish balaclavas, they release Internet videos of their illegal concerts in public places. Recently they managed to stage a concert in strictly guarded Red Square, and were arrested. After being held for 5 hours, they were fined 500 rubles (about $17 US) and released. On their website they say, “We Believe That the Soviet Union's Aggressive Imperial Politics are Similar in many Ways to Putin's course. The way the State treats its Citizens hasn't changed much since the times of the USSR; there is still paternalist supervision and police control over people.” They add, “Some of us are anarchists, leftist Have some Liberal Positions. We would like horizontal political activity, self-organization and the capability to be aware of oneself as an equal participant in civil politics, to understand one's rights and fight for them to develop. Russian Society lacks tolerance and lenience.”

If you have Google Chrome, you can use the translator to check out their site here, where you can see pics of them staging one of their public protest concerts at Moscow's Christ the Savior Cathedral which ruffled a lot of feathers. Check out one of their videos below.