Madonna Supports Jailed Feminist Punk Rockers, Global Protest on August 17
The verdict for three feminist punk rockers will be issued next week on August 17.
Madonna has shown her support of the arrested women: Nadezhda Tolokonnikova, 23; Maria Alekhina, 24; and Yekaterina Samutsevich, 29.
The women who are known as the punk band Pussy Riot were arrested five months ago after giving an impromptu performance in Moscow’s main cathedral, according to Associated Press. The women donned ski masks and colorful miniskirts–high-kicked and belted out, “Virgin Mary, Mother of God, put Putin away.” The performance was a way to express their resentment over the church’s support of Russian President Vladimir Putin, said the women.
The Russian citizens seem to be split over the arrests: some believe they descreated the Russian Orthodox Church with their political performance while others feel that the women have been punished unfairly. They have been charged with hooliganism motivated by religious hatred, and face a maximum sentence of seven years.
Madonna has openly supported the women’s performance and has called the women “courageous” during a speech at her Moscow concert. Madge donned a balaclava during one performance. She also had the words ‘Pussy Riot’ written on her back as she performed Express Yourself.
“I know there are many sides to every story, and I mean no disrespect to the church or the government, but I think these girls… have done something courageous and they have paid the price for this act and I pray for their freedom. They deserve the right to be free.”
During the trial, Tolokonnikova looked directly at prosecutors and had this to say: ”We have more freedom than all those people from the prosecution in front of me — because we can say what we want.”
Amnesty International has called the women prisoners of conscience. The women’s defense lawyers have called on activists around the world to show their solidarity by holding a global protest on August 17–the day the verdict will be issued.
