Pussy Riot attacked in Sochi
Pussy Riot, the Russian punk rock band, is back in the spotlight after being attacked by Russian paramilitary members known as Cossacks, while attempting to film their most recent music video in Sochi, Russia Wednesday.
Pussy Riot members Nadezhda Tolokonnikova, Maria Alyokhina and Yekaterina Samutsevich were detained and released a day earlier for alleged hotel theft where they were staying.
CNN reported, Pussy Riot was filming a music video in front of a Sochi 2014 sign wearing ski masks when one member was pepper sprayed while others were hit with batons when more Cossacks joined in on the attack. Video of the beating can be seen by on CNN ‘s website by visiting http://www.cnn.com/2014/02/19/world/russia-sochi-pussy-riot/
“The band members were in Sochi to protest what they said was the lack of freedom of speech and to record the music video critical of Russian President Vladimir Putin,” said Ivan Watson of CNN, in explanation for the reason for the beating.
Two members of Pussy Riot were released without charge according to http://www.euronews.com/2014/02/18/pussy-riot-pair-detained-in-sochi-by-russian-police/.
“Maria Alyokhina and Nadezhda Tolokonnikova emerged with other women from a police station where they claimed they had been treated roughly, saying this was the third time they had been detained in as many days. They were wearing summer dresses, coloured leggings and their trademark balaclava masks,” said www.euronews.com.
In September 2012, Pussy Riot was arrested for protesting Vladimir Putin’s election. The band has a notorious affiliation with political uprising and protesting.
During that time, the Lariat reported on the peaceful protest by the Saddleback College Poetry Club in the Student Services Center quad.
“The band was incarcerated on violations of civil peace and religious hatred, which could have gotten them seven years in prison but was later reduced to hooliganism and two years in prison. The band was protesting in Christ Savior Church singing a Christian hymn called “Punk Rock Prayer” which had lyrics like “God please rid us of Putin.”
To read more visit https://lariatnews.com/uncategorized/poetry-for-pussy-riot/
For more information concerning Pussy Riots political struggles, visit http://freepussyriot.org/