Pussy Riot: the face of feminism in Russia!

Disclaimer:

Throughout this article the word ‘pussy’ will be used frequently. (This is not for effect it is solely because the focus of this article is the group Pussy Riot.) If this offends please leave now.

Pussy Riot have become the face of modern feminism in Russia today.

.: Feminist collective &
Punk-Rock band Pussy Riot :.

But who are Pussy Riot?

No one knows. They are a collective of middle-class young women. They are ‘kind’ revolutionaries. They are a phenomena. They are few, but they are many.

In a country that feminism seemed to miss, the not so quiet women’s revolution rages on. Western women can say or sing whatever they please without having to hide behind nicknames and masks, but in Russia feminism has to shield her face from the government.

.: Pussy Riot’s ‘Punk Prayer’ :.

Punks against Putin

Back in February (2012), six young women (some, mothers of small children) hoped over the barrier and on to the alter of Moscow’s Christ the Saviour cathedral. Where they sang a punk song/prayer (in Sex Pistol fashion), and then were ejected from the building by security. About 2 minutes in total.

When the police arrived, they decided no crime had been committed. It was only later -when their exploit were seen on YouTube by a high-up of Prime Minister Vladimir Putin’s people- that the Russian government decided a crime had been committed.

Pussy Riot themselves admit the stunt was meant to be disrespectful, but that they were only guilty of an “ethical misdemeanour” at best.

Prisoners Of Conscience?

Three members of Pussy Riot (Nadezhda Tolokonnikova, Maria Alyokhina and Yekaterina Samutsevich) were taken into custody and interrogated, and have been held (over four months) without bail. The three have been declared Prisoners of conscience by Amnesty International. And more than 200 publically-renown Russians and 41,000 of the masses have signed an open letter of condemnation against the governments’ criminal action. Only the orthodox church wants them punished to the letter of the law (and by God’s justice).

(Read the Guardian’s excellent interview from 29/07/12).

.: Nadezhda Tolokonnikova,
Maria Alyokhina and
Yekaterina Samutsevich in custody :.

There has been more outrage for the treatment of these three young women, than for their alleged ‘crime’. (As someone who remembers the furore that the Sex Pistols caused in ’77, when they released their infamous “God Save the Queen” anthem for her 25th Jubilee celebration -which also seems naively innocent at side of what is said over Facebook or Twitter about celebrities, politicians and the royals everyday. For a westerner with the ability to call our own government a bunch of useless, incompetent morons. The ‘prayer’ which Pussy Riot sung on the altar of the cathedral is quite inoffensive -calling on the Virgin Mary to push Putin out!- and I’m rather incredulous that Putin couldn’t just laugh it off as a childish stunt -as a spokesmen for the British government probably would have. )

Pussy Riot Jailed

The trial (which was broadcast over the internet) began on 30/07/12. Vladimir Putin’s government were trying to give the impression that it is an ‘open’ trial. But nothing is quite as it seems in Russia. The anti-Kremlin Punk-band members were sentenced to two years for inciting violence and racial hatred (that is, dancing in a Russian cathedral – to protest  treatment of feminists by the Putin government ).

(Read the 17/08/12 Bloomberg BusinessWeek’s interview for a full report of the trial.)

The feminist collective have seen support from the likes of Paul McCartney, Sting and Madonna.

Pussy Riot aren’t just Nadezhda Tolokonnikova, Maria Alyokhina and Yekaterina Samutsevich (the sentenced members) but “a big collective” Tolokonnikova’s husband, Pyotr Verzilov, claims.

  “Since the Moscow police said they are searching for them, they will keep a low profile for now…”

  “…you must remember that 12 or even 14 members who are still in Russia actively participate in the band’s work now…”
    –Pyotr Verzilov claims

Two Members of Pussy Riot Flee Russia

The anti-Kremlin Band have been putting information out on twitter all day (26/08/12) about this matter.

  “In regard to the pursuit, two of our members have successfully fled the country! They are recruiting foreign feminists to prepare new actions!”
    – – The Twitter account called Pussy Riot Group claims

The two members feared prosecution and persecution after taking part in the “Punk Prayer” earlier this year.

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As an old Punk and Anarchist myself, I wish the collective Pussy Riot a lot of luck and call for a little ‘passionate’ protesting in this country along the same lines. It sees to this degenerate, that the youth of the west could learn a few things from these warrioresses of the word. I, personally, don’t think this is the last we will hear from Pussy Riot this month, as they have so far proved to be good at keeping themselves in the News.

That’s my opinion, for what it’s worth.

Watch the video (above) of Pussy Riot’s ‘cathedral’ demonstration and decide for yourself.

What’s your opinion?

I, personally, don’t think this is the last we will hear from Pussy Riot this month, as they have so far proved to be good at keeping themselves in the News.