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Adele, Madonna and Sir Paul McCartney Align For Pussy Riot Justice
Indie | Tuesday 23rd July 2013 | Cameron
Over 100 Musicians Sign New Campaign To Free Members Of Pussy Riot from Russian Prison
After suffering almost a year in Russian prison, Amnesty International are launching a brand new campaign to maintain awareness and concern about the universally damned prison sentances of the two remaining members of rebellious, feminist punk-group, Pussy Riot.
On August 17th, 2012, Maria Alyokhina and Nadezhda Tolokonnikova were both convicted of hooliganism motivated by religious hatred after they were caught on the steps of Moscow's Cathedral of Christ the Saviour, perfoming protest music against Vladimir Putin (whom their regard as a dictator) and the Russian Orthadox Church, who have supported his political campaigns.
Although their actions may have been construed as hooliganism, it is the severity of their sentance that has shocked the global public and placed Pussy Riot at the heart of freedom of speech debates around the world. Sentanced to two years behind bars for their actions, the pair have been seperated from the children and lives in what appears to be a defiant act of social silencing by the Russian government and presumably Vladimir Putin himself.
As the pair near their first anniversary behind bars, Amnesty International have teamed-up with some of the most influential artists around the globe to sign and promote a new petition to see the two women released from prison immediately.
The petition has been signed by the likes of Adele, Arcade Fire, Coldplay, Madonna, Sir Paul McCartney, Sting, Bruce Springsteen, U2 and almost one hundred other artists.
Read the full open letter below:
Dear Masha and Nadia,
As the one-year anniversary of your trial approaches, we are writing to assure you that, around the world, people are both still thinking of you and working for your release. Although you were the most visible of the protesters, we know that there were many other young people who have suffered in the protests, about whom we are also very concerned. But, in many ways, through your imprisonment, you have come to represent them.
Many artists voiced their concern when these charges were first brought against you, we had every hope that the authorities, in dealing with you, would show some understanding, a sense of proportion, even some of the wonderful Russian sense of humour, but none of the above were forthcoming.
The impact of your shockingly unjust trial and imprisonment has spread far and wide. Especially among your fellow artists, musicians and citizens around the world, including the many parents who feel your anguish at being separated from your children. While understanding the sensitivities of protesting in a place of worship, we ask that the Russian authorities review these harsh sentences, so that you may return to your children, your families and your lives.
The right to freedom of expression and dissent is a legitimate one and essential in any kind of democracy. You have been accused of what could be described as ‘a victimless’ crime, but in our opinion, in a just society, there can be no crime where there is no identifiable ‘victim’.
Your strength, bravery and fearlessness are an inspiration to us all.
Yours in solidarity,
Bryan Adams, Adele, Alt-J, Laurie Anderson, Animal Collective, Anti-Flag, Arcade Fire, Arch Enemy, Archive, Joan Armatrading, Joan Baez, Beardyman, Jeff Beck, Yasiin Bey, björk, Rubén Blades, Billy Bragg, Jackson Browne, Peter Buck, Tracy Chapman, Chase & Status, The Chemical Brothers, Neneh Cherry, The Clash, Coldplay, Lily Rose Cooper, Dido, Django Django, Melissa Etheridge, Siobhan Fahey, Paloma Faith, First Aid Kit, Franz Ferdinand, Foster the People, fun., Peter Gabriel, Bob Geldof, Kim Gordon, Debbie Harry, PJ Harvey, Don Henley, The Hidden Cameras, Niall Horan, Billy Joel, Sir Elton John, Ke$ha, Angelique Kidjo, The Knife, Mark Knopfler, Tom Lehrer, Sean Lennon, Annie Lennox, Lykke Li, Sir Paul McCartney, Romy Madley-Croft, Madonna, Zayn Malik, Stephen Malkmus, Marina & The Diamonds, Johnny Marr, Massive Attack, Mike Mills, Moby, Thurston Moore, Tom Morello, Alanis Morissette, James Morrison, Graham Nash, Kate Nash, Youssou N'Dour, Karen O, Yoko Ono, Clock Opera, Ozzy Osbourne, Liam Payne, Peaches, Joe Perry, Phoenix, Rain Phoenix, Portishead, Portugal. The Man, Cat Power, Radiohead, Bonnie Raitt, Rise Against, Patti Scialfa, Scissor Sisters, Paul Simon, Sleigh Bells, Patti Smith, Esperanza Spalding, Bruce Springsteen, Dave Stewart, Sting, Michael Stipe, Harry Styles, Neil Tennant, Louis Tomlinson, Pete Townshend, K T Tunstall, U2, Eddie Vedder.
If you would like to make your own imprint on this petition, click HERE.
Cameron Stanton @mydaybydaymusic
