After much conflict, two members of the Russian, feminist punk band Pussy Riot remain in a Russian Prison. However, the band has received a lot of support globally and hopes to have the members released through the publication of their book “Pussy Riot! A Punk Prayer for Freedom”.
According to Music For Good, the book will include translations of the band members’ court statements, letters from prison, poems, and tribute letters from big names such as Yoko Ono, JD Samson and Johanna Fateman of Le Tigre, Peaches and Bianca Jagger. All proceeds from the sale of the book will go to freepussyriot.org. To learn more about the band members’ arrests, visit this previous mxdwn article. Although now one of the three members that were being held in prison has been released, as is discussed in this mxdwn article, the other two remain in jail hoping to appeal the court’s sentence. As was reported by Pitchfork, the Russian government is trying to call attention away from the Pussy Riot situation by banning the video of the performance which got them in so much trouble. The video was ruled as an extremist demonstration in a Russian court and was therefore banned, however, the video remains online for people across the globe to watch. In fact, you can even watch the video below. This controversy has caught the attention of many people internationally and artists such as Switchfoot, Sting, and Foster the People have spoken out in support of Pussy Riot.