Pussy Riot is a feminist punk band that was declared public enemy number one by both church and state in Russia. Three members of the band have been detained since March, the charge against the young girls is hooliganism motivated by religous hatred. What did they do? Have they beaten up some priests? Not at all. They simply performed a song in an orthodox church agains Vladimir Putin, the president of Russia. Now they face up to three years in prison. This is a show trial, a mockery of justice, for example, the charge in itself is absurd against non-violent musicians, not to mention the unusual pretrial detention. Many of the questions and witnesses of the defence are disallowed by the judge, the girls are not allowed to eat and sleep enough, they are isolated from their families. This trial is a part of the crackdown on dissenting citizens and a violation of freedom of expression.
We filmed a protest at the Russian Embassy in Washington DC and produced a movie to mobilize people to help Pussy Riot - you can sign 4 petitions now! The only hope is the growing international pressure on the Russian government.
Posted by Peter Sarosi