As I sit here on this couch, being as vulgar as I want to be with no consequences, the women of feminist punk rock band Pussy Riot sit in jail fearing for their futures simply for performing a song.
On February 21, three band members of the “anonymous Russian feminist performance art group” Pussy Riot performed in protest against the re-election of Vladimir Putin in the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour of the Russian Orthodox Church in Moscow. The were kicked out of the building and were eventually arrested for hooliganism, which sounds like something that would get you sent to the principle’s office, not potentially three years in prison.
As a town built on live music, we here in Austin should be thankful for our right to perform and express ourselves so freely. The injustice of their imprisonment is so obviously wrong it’s mind boggling. I’ve been to jail folks. If you add it up, I’ve been in two months in my entire life. It was horrible! They are sitting there right now: Maria Alyokhina, 24, a poet, fellow journalist, and mother. Ekaterina Samutsevich, 29, queer ally. Nadezhda Tolokonnikova, 23, radical artist and mother. We stand with you and we will not take our freedom for granted.
The trial verdict is set for August 17. Visit Free Pussy Riot for more information on how to help.
This article appears in August 10 • 2012.