After a show trial in Moscow, the Tagansky District Court has found three members of the female punk rock collective Pussy Riot guilty of “hooliganism” and sentenced them to a two-year prison term.
This highly-publicized case gained worldwide attention as a showdown between free expression and the forces of oppression and censorship as embodied by the Putin Administration and the Russian Orthodox Church. The charges stemmed from a “punk rock prayer” that Pussy Riot staged on the alter of Moscow’s Cathedral of Christ the Savior, in which the band played a song praying to the Virgin Mary to rid Russia of Putin. The event sparked outrage not only by Putin and his acolytes, but also by the corrupt, Rasputin-like leader of the powerful Russian Orthodox Church, Kirill.
Stars such as Madonna (during her recent concert in Moscow) and the Red Hot Chili Peppers, among other rockers, have expressed support for the trio. Human rights organizations have questioned the legitimacy of the charges and the court, while calling for leniency for the three women (ages 22, 24 and 30), who have already been imprisoned for six months and two of whom have young children.
This verdict and sentence is an affront to free expression and human rights. These brave women spoke truth to power with punk rock, and brought worldwide attention to the corruption and oppression at the heart of Vladimir Putin’s rule over Russia. If you can believe that Rock-n-Roll can change the world for the better, his type of action is what rock and rebellion are all about. We owe them our solidarity and our prayers.
Weeping Elvis will keep you abreast of ongoing developments, including upcoming protests and opportunities to make known your support for Pussy Riot and disgust with this sham verdict.
