Free Pussy Riot! in London at the Russian Embassy, 23rd April 2012
Opposite the Russian Embassy in London there was a special event on April 23: a rally in solidarity with Nadezhda Tolokonnikova, Maria Alyokhina and Ekaterina Samusevitch, three members of the punk group, Pussy Riot, who are under arrest. The rally was organized by a group of English students, using social networks. Disregarding the constant drizzle, the protesters in colourful balaclavas unfurled their banners that said: “Free Pussy Riot!”
At the same time a group of drummers led a rhythmic chant in English and in Russian: “Free! Free! Free! Free Pussy Riot!”. The students consider the three girls, Tolokonnikova, Alyokhina and Samusevitch to be Vladimir Putin’s personal hostages, so at least one of the slogans was addressed directly to him: “Putin! Putin! Putin! Free Pussy Riot!”.
There were suggestions voiced at the rally that people should write to their Members of Parliament, asking them to start a petition that would demand the immediate release of the punk-rocker political prisoners.
By Evgeny Legedin, 24 April 2012
(Source: Moscow Echo Radio)
