Celebrities Defend Pussy Riot Band Members
Watch for the trend to deepen and expand about artists supporting and critiquing each other globally regarding support in social justice and watch for fans to start to hold more of them accountable for using their talent and access to call attention to the change in this era. For more, check out the SmartPower podcast epiosde today at bit.ly/vLoibJ
Russian court found three members of Russian female punk rock band Pussy Riot guilty of hooliganism after they sang an anti-Putin song. The women will spend three years in prison for insulting the Russian Orthodox Church and undermining public order. Celebrities have spoken in the band’s defense. Madonna performed in a Pussy Riot-style and said she was praying for them because everyone has a right to free speech. Other celebrities Paul McCartney, Sting, Bryan Adams, Moby, the Beastie Boys, Peter Gabriel, Bjork and Carrie Brownstein have also shown support for Pussy Riot. Anthony Kiedis from The Red Hot Chili Peppers wore a Pussy Riot T-shirt. Sting said in a statement on his website that he found it “appalling.” Alex Kaparanos from Franz Ferdinand called Putin the worst kind of hypocrite.
What Others Are Saying...
… Pussy Riot danced around in their bras and masks in a church. They weren't using their freedom of speech; they were disrespectful to all Christians in Russia. If they wanted to speak out against Putin, they could have done so on a public square. ... With these celebrities showing their support to the wrong people, the members of the Pussy Riot were smirking throughout their whole trial and verdict. They deserved the two year sentence. ...
… You cannot disagree that Madonna knows how to work the media … She is using her ability to do so to bring attention to something that we would have been unlikely to hear of … we in the UK take for granted - freedom of speech.
… I don't think Putin or the Russian public care about what Madonna has to say. … Canada and USA & other western nations are the only countries where we have free speech to a certain level. …