Pussy Riot! : a punk prayer for freedom : letters from prison, songs, poems, and courtroom statements, plus tributes to the punk band that shook the world

Letters from prison, songs, poems, and courtroom statements, plus tributes to the punk band that shook the world. Abstract: Letters from prison, songs, poems, and courtroom statements, plus tributes to the punk band that shook the world Letters from prison, songs, poems, and courtroom statements, plus tributes to the Russian punk band that shook the world. On February 21, 2012, five members of a Russian feminist punk collective Pussy Riot staged a performance in the Cathedral of Christ the Savior in Moscow. Dressed in brightly colored tights and balaclavas, they performed their “Punk Prayer” asking the Virgin Mary to drive out Russian president Vladimir Putin from the church. After just forty seconds, they were chased out by security. Once a retooled video of the events circulated on YouTube (edited to seem much longer than the actual performance), the state was riled into action. Three members of the collective, Maria Alyokhina, Nadezhda Tolokonnikova, and Yekaterina Samutsevich, known as Masha, Nadya, and Katya, were arrested and charged with felony hooliganism motivated by religious hatred, an offense carrying a sentence of up to seven years. As their trial unfolded, these young women became global feminist icons, garnering the attention and support of activists and artists around the world, including Madonna, Paul McCartney, and Sting, as well as contributors to this book: Yoko Ono, Johanna Fateman, Karen Finley, Justin Vivian Bond, Eileen Myles, and JD Samson. The Internet exploded with petitions, music videos, and calls to action, and as the guilty verdict was anticipated, Pussy Riot responded with articulate, unwavering courtroom statements, calling for freedom of expression, an end to economic and gender oppression, and a separation of church and state. They were sentenced to two years in prison, and inspired a global movement. Collected here are the words that roused the world. Note: Profits from the sale of this ebook will support the Pussy Riot legal defense team. On February 21, 2012, five members of a Russian feminist punk collective Pussy Riot staged a performance in the Cathedral of Christ the Savior in Moscow. Dressed in brightly colored tights and balaclavas, they performed their Punk Prayer asking the Virgin Mary to drive out Russian president Vladimir Putin from the church. After just forty seconds, they were chased out by security. Once a retooled video of the events circulated on YouTube (edited to seem much longer than the actual performance), the state was riled into action. Three members of the collective, Maria Alyokhina, Nadezhda Tolokonnikova, and Yekaterina Samutsevitch, known as Masha, Nadya, and Katya, were arrested and charged with felony hooliganism motivated by religious hatred, an offense carrying a sentence of up to seven years. As their trial unfolded, these young women became global feminist icons, garnering the attention and support of activists and artists around the world, including Madonna, Paul McCartney, and Sting, as well as contributors to this book: Yoko Ono, Johanna Fateman, Karen Finley, Justin Vivian Bond, Eileen Myles, and JD Samson. The Internet exploded with petitions, music videos, and calls to action, and as the guilty verdict was anticipated, Pussy Riot responded with articulate, unwavering courtroom statements, calling for freedom of expression, an end to economic and gender oppression, and a separation of church and state. They were sentenced to two years in prison, and inspired a global movement. Collected here are the words that roused the world. Content: Virgin Mary, put Putin away (Punk prayer) -- Art or politics? -- Letter by Masha in prison -- Letters by Nadya in prison -- Death to prison, freedom to protest -- Letter to patriarch Kirill -- Kropotkin-vodka -- Letters to president Medvedev -- Putin has pissed himself -- Opening courtroom statement by Masha -- Opening courtroom statement by Nadya -- Raze the pavement -- Excerpts from the court transcript -- Closing statement by defense attorney Violetta Volkova -- Closing statement by defense attorney Mark Feygin -- Closing statement by defense attorney Nikolay Polozov -- Closing courtroom statement by Katya -- Closing courtroom statement by Nadya -- Closing courtroom statement by Masha -- Three poems by Masha -- Excerpts from the appeal statements -- Tributes to Pussy Riot. Yoko Ono Peaches and Simonne Jones Bianca Jagger Tobi Vail Johanna Fareman JD Samson Eileen Myles Justin Vivian Bond Barbara Browning Vivien Goldman Laurie Weeks Karen Finley.