Pussy Riot: "People fear us because we're feminists"

backseatLover12

Laurie Penny meets the Russian punk-protest group.

http://www.newstatesman.com/politics/20 ... -feminists

brianlux

Gutsy ladies! Quite an amazing story.

Hugh Freaking Dillon

how long is the sentence for the two still in prison?

PJ_Soul

Russia has been really going downhill lately. There seems to be a major general crackdown on human rights there (more than usual), and less and less cooperation with the international community. Putin must be having some kind of mid-life crisis or something, now that he's getting divorced. Time for more shirtless photos maybe, so he can exert his manliness upon the world in a more constructive manner.

peacefrompaul

PJ_Soul wrote:

Putin must be having some kind of mid-life crisis or something, now that he's getting divorced.

Tends to happen during year 13 of running a country... err... or, what?

backseatLover12

Hugh Freaking Dillon wrote:

how long is the sentence for the two still in prison?

From the doc. I saw on HBO a few weeks ago, I think they said 2 years.

morello

I've not followed the story of Pussy Riot at all but noticed a film about them's showing at our Film Festival this year:
http://www.nziff.co.nz/auckland/film/b8 ... ce33ef37d9

dustinpardue

The HBO documentary was very good.

Guitar92player

PJ_Soul wrote:

Russia has been really going downhill lately.

People around the world have said that since the year 882. :roll:

PJ_Soul

Guitar92player wrote:

PJ_Soul wrote:

Russia has been really going downhill lately.

People around the world have said that since the year 882. :roll:

......... Not sure what to say about that. But I imagine Russia in the 90s was a lot better than Russia in the 9th century. But yeah, I'm of course talking about Putin's recent crackdown on certain things, like gays and minor dissent, not to mention his ominous decisions about who he backs when it comes to disputes in other countries. He's getting much worse in that context lately.

jumbojet

backseatLover12 wrote:

Laurie Penny meets the Russian punk-protest group.

Thanks for bringing this up. It is hard for me to understand why these girls were treated so harshly. As the article says, they are just young musicians trying to find their way in life. I think it corresponded to a moment when the administration wanted to show some power domestically.

I havent read the full article but took a glimpse like Russia mentioned as a sexist country? I cannot emphasize otherwise enough. THis is a country where you'll see women in all walks of life and they carry around themselves a feeling of natural strength. Russian women have a way of dominating around themselves and demanding and commanding respect; which is really hard to cope with.

Guitar92player

PJ_Soul wrote:

Guitar92player wrote:

PJ_Soul wrote:

Russia has been really going downhill lately.

People around the world have said that since the year 882. :roll:

......... Not sure what to say about that. But I imagine Russia in the 90s was a lot better than Russia in the 9th century. But yeah, I'm of course talking about Putin's recent crackdown on certain things, like gays and minor dissent, not to mention his ominous decisions about who he backs when it comes to disputes in other countries. He's getting much worse in that context lately.

I got what you meant. Putin has been causing a lot of shit lately.

Empty Glass

dustinpardue wrote:

The HBO documentary was very good.

I agree. Well done

backseatLover12

Radiohead, Arcade Fire, Animal Collective, & More Call For Pussy Riot’s Release In Open Letter

http://www.stereogum.com/1413261/radioh ... tter/news/

AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL OPEN LETTER

Dear Masha and Nadia,

As the one-year anniversary of your trial approaches, we are writing to assure you that, around the world, people are both still thinking of you and working for your release. Although you were the most visible of the protesters, we know that there were many other young people who have suffered in the protests, about whom we are also very concerned. But, in many ways, through your imprisonment, you have come to represent them.

Many artists voiced their concern when these charges were first brought against you, we had every hope that the authorities, in dealing with you, would show some understanding, a sense of proportion, even some of the wonderful Russian sense of humour, but none of the above were forthcoming.

The impact of your shockingly unjust trial and imprisonment has spread far and wide. Especially among your fellow artists, musicians and citizens around the world, including the many parents who feel your anguish at being separated from your children. While understanding the sensitivities of protesting in a place of worship, we ask that the Russian authorities review these harsh sentences, so that you may return to your children, your families and your lives.

The right to freedom of expression and dissent is a legitimate one and essential in any kind of democracy. You have been accused of what could be described as ‘a victimless’ crime, but in our opinion, in a just society, there can be no crime where there is no identifiable ‘victim’.

Your strength, bravery and fearlessness are an inspiration to us all.

Yours in solidarity,

Bryan Adams, Adele, Alt-J, Laurie Anderson, Animal Collective, Anti-Flag, Arcade Fire, Arch Enemy, Archive, Joan Armatrading, Joan Baez, Beardyman, Jeff Beck, Yasiin Bey, björk, Rubén Blades, Billy Bragg, Jackson Browne, Peter Buck, Tracy Chapman, Chase & Status, Neneh Cherry, The Clash, Coldplay, Lily Rose Cooper, Dido, Django Django, Melissa Etheridge, Siobhan Fahey, Paloma Faith, First Aid Kit, Franz Ferdinand, Foster the People, fun., Peter Gabriel, Sir Bob Geldof, Kim Gordon, Debbie Harry, PJ Harvey, Don Henley, The Hidden Cameras, Niall Horan, Billy Joel, Sir Elton John, Ke$ha, Angelique Kidjo, The Knife, Mark Knopfler, Tom Lehrer, Sean Lennon, Annie Lennox, Lykke Li, Sir Paul McCartney, Romy Madley-Croft, Madonna, Zayn Malik, Stephen Malkmus, Marina & the Diamonds, Johnny Marr, Massive Attack, Mike Mills, Moby, Thurston Moore, Tom Morello, Alanis Morissette, James Morrison, Graham Nash, Kate Nash, Youssou N’Dour, Karen O, Yoko Ono, Clock Opera, Ozzy Osbourne, Liam Payne, Peaches, Joe Perry, Phoenix, Portishead, Portugal. The Man, Rain Phoenix, Cat Power, Radiohead, Bonnie Raitt, Rise Against, Patti Scialfa, Scissor Sisters, Paul Simon, Sleigh Bells, Patti Smith, Esperanza Spalding, Bruce Springsteen, Dave Stewart, Sting, Michael Stipe, Harry Styles, Neil Tennant, Louis Tomlinson, Pete Townshend, K T Tunstall, U2, Eddie Vedder.