Image: Lorena Cupcake
Who are Pussy Riot? I could give you a music review of the Russian activist band, adopting the vocal style of Bratmobile's Allison Wolfe, inspired by Bikini Kill and breathing new life into the 1990s Riot Grrrl scene. But Pussy Riot aren't just a fistful of grrrls smashing guitars in their father's garages, swapping photocopied 'zines and fretting over privilege or wishing they'd been of age in the '90s. “What we have in common is impudence, politically loaded lyrics, the importance of feminist discourse and a non-standard female image.” They are mothers, wives, artists and in pure back-to-its-riot-roots activists, grrrls true to their riot.
The feminist collective formed in 2011 in response to Putin's campaign for re-election. In February this year they staged a punk prayer to the Virgin Mary, asking her to “Chase Putin Out!” in the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour of the Russian Orthodox Church in Moscow. Pussy Riot chose to 'pray' at the altar where the church is segregated and only orthodox priests are allowed in protest against the leader of the Orthodox church, Patriarch Kirill's support of Putin. Any such support has been denied by the church, however 2 weeks before the prayer the Patriarch referred to the Putin era as a “miracle of God”. But he's still totes impartial.
The following month on the 3rd of March 2 alleged members of Pussy Riot, Maria Alyokhina and Nadezhda Tolokonnikova were arrested under the accusation of hooliganism. They have denied any involvement with Pussy Riot and announced a hunger strike. On the 16th of March Ekaterina Samutsevitch was also arrested. They face up to 7 years for “hooliganism motivated by religious hatred or hostility.” In June the 3 were presented with formal charges, on the 4th of July they were informed they needed to finish preparing the defence in 5 days. Giving them 2 working days to finish preparing. On the 21st of July the court extended their pre-trial detention by an additional 6 months.
In Moscow's Khamovniki court Alyokhina apologised for getting up on church altar, and rejected any motive of religious hatred. Outside the trial supporters have been chanting 'Girls, we are with you!' and 'Victory!' Pussy Riot members have stated that the actions taken against their sisters shows Putin is scared of them and Amnesty International say: "If President Putin and his cronies successfully carry out this aggressive assault on freedom of expression and the due process rights of these young women, it will embolden governments all around the world that would use censorship and illegitimate detention to suppress the voice of the people."
The following month on the 3rd of March 2 alleged members of Pussy Riot, Maria Alyokhina and Nadezhda Tolokonnikova were arrested under the accusation of hooliganism. They have denied any involvement with Pussy Riot and announced a hunger strike. On the 16th of March Ekaterina Samutsevitch was also arrested. They face up to 7 years for “hooliganism motivated by religious hatred or hostility.” In June the 3 were presented with formal charges, on the 4th of July they were informed they needed to finish preparing the defence in 5 days. Giving them 2 working days to finish preparing. On the 21st of July the court extended their pre-trial detention by an additional 6 months.
In Moscow's Khamovniki court Alyokhina apologised for getting up on church altar, and rejected any motive of religious hatred. Outside the trial supporters have been chanting 'Girls, we are with you!' and 'Victory!' Pussy Riot members have stated that the actions taken against their sisters shows Putin is scared of them and Amnesty International say: "If President Putin and his cronies successfully carry out this aggressive assault on freedom of expression and the due process rights of these young women, it will embolden governments all around the world that would use censorship and illegitimate detention to suppress the voice of the people."
Pussy Riot's trial began on the 30th of July. Taking their cue from Riot Grrrl, Pussy Riot have made it clear anyone and everyone can be a member of Pussy Riot, member Garadzha: “Pussy Riot has to keep on expanding. That's one of the reasons we choose to always wear balaclavas—new members can join the bunch and it does not really matter who takes part in the next act—there can be three of us or eight, like in our last gig on the Red Square, or even 15. Pussy Riot is a pulsating and growing body. Do you know anyone who wants to come to Moscow, play illegal concerts, and help us fight Putin and Russian chauvinists? Or maybe they could start their own local Pussy Riot, if Russia is too cold and too far.”
And so Pussy Riot, Olympia Washington has begun, holding a protest in a cinema. In Pussy Riot style balaclavas they took over the projector and played in front of the screen that displayed images and videos of Pussy Riot. Proving Kot, of Pussy Riot correct when she said: “We have nothing to worry about, because if the repressive Putinist police crooks throw one of us in prison, five, ten fifteen or more girls will put on colorful balaclavas and continue the fight against their symbols of power.”
As I write this @FreePussyRiot have retweeted a bystander who says there are 3 ambulances outside the Pussy Riot trial, the ambulance drivers don't seem to know why they are there: “for the victims i guess, who knows, they called us, so we're here”.
I double triple f**king dare ya, girlfriends to take courage and use your RIGHTS! RIGHTS! YOU DO HAVE RIGHTS! We are all Pussy Riot! And we want revolution GRRRL STYLE NOW!
Squeamish Kate
And so Pussy Riot, Olympia Washington has begun, holding a protest in a cinema. In Pussy Riot style balaclavas they took over the projector and played in front of the screen that displayed images and videos of Pussy Riot. Proving Kot, of Pussy Riot correct when she said: “We have nothing to worry about, because if the repressive Putinist police crooks throw one of us in prison, five, ten fifteen or more girls will put on colorful balaclavas and continue the fight against their symbols of power.”
As I write this @FreePussyRiot have retweeted a bystander who says there are 3 ambulances outside the Pussy Riot trial, the ambulance drivers don't seem to know why they are there: “for the victims i guess, who knows, they called us, so we're here”.
I double triple f**king dare ya, girlfriends to take courage and use your RIGHTS! RIGHTS! YOU DO HAVE RIGHTS! We are all Pussy Riot! And we want revolution GRRRL STYLE NOW!
Squeamish Kate
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