After months of international protests, intervention
from global amnesty groups, and outcries from fans, Maria “Masha” Alyokhina and Nadezhda “Nadya”
Tolokonnikova, a.k.a. Pussy Riot, were released from prison at the end of
December. Pussy Riot, a Russian, feminist-influenced punk rock band, were
originally arrested in March, 2012 for a controversial public performance on
the steps of a Russian church. Now that Alyokhina and Tolokonnikova are free,
they are continuing to spread the word in hopes of reforming Russia’s
oppressive laws.
According to NPR, “Members of the punk protest band Pussy Riot
were just released from jail after spending nearly two years in a penal colony
for a controversial performance at a Moscow church in 2012, but they are far
from done fighting,” of the band’s unflinching attitude towards achieving
justice and equal rights in their home country. Since their release Alyokhina
and Tolokonnikova have spent time traveling the world, visiting prisons to gain
insights towards improving Russia’s prison system.
Enlightened by their time
spent in a harsh prison environment, and empowered by the international fans
that have followed their story for years, Alyokhina and Tolokonnikova are on a
mission to raise awareness about injustices that face prisoners. “What we’d like is for other people who have this same
kind of microphone – this celebrity – to stand up [for the disenfranchised]
too,” says Alyokhina. The young
women’s work as activists is far from over; it would appear that they are
merely taking a different approach. Rather than retreat to quiet lives after
their prison release, Alyokhina and Tolokonnikova are bolding standing against
human rights injustices, learning, traveling, and spreading the word.
And what about Pussy Riot?
Will Alyokhina and Tolokonnikova still be creating music? The two explain that
Pussy Riot is more of an activist movement, rather than a band that credits its
individual artists. As Tolokonnikova explains, “Pussy Riot can be anyone, and no one can be excluded from Pussy Riot
[…] Pussy Riot can only grow.”
Learn more about Pussy Riot’s
activism and story on NPR.
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