Back in February of this year, three women from the Russian feminist punk collective Pussy Riot entered Moscow’s Cathedral of Christ the Saviour and performed a protest song against then-Prime Minister Vladimir Putin. The women said their “punk prayer” was not intended to offend believers, but to highlight the close ties between the Kremlin and the Russian Orthodox Church and object against the re-election of Putin.
Today, August 17th, the three women were each sentenced to 2 years in prison and found guilty of “hooliganism.”
Amnesty International has declared the women to be “prisoners of conscience,” asserting that “freedom of expression is not hooliganism” but a human right, and “no one should be jailed for the peaceful exercise of this right” (citing Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights).
The trial has attracted global attention and has rallied the support of many musicians including Madonna, Paul McCartney, Bjork, Andrew W.K., Peaches and more, demanding freedom for the group. Folk legend Billy Bragg even posted a letter to the group, declaring his support.
What do you think? Do you think what the members of Pussy Riot did was brave or blasphemous? Were they standing tall for what they believe or crossing the line? We’d love to hear your thoughts, let us know in the comments below.
[Lyrics to the Punk-Prayer "Virgin Mary, Put Putin Away" can be found here.]