A collective of creative activists will gather in Melbourne’s CBD on Friday evening to mark an International Day of Solidarity for imprisoned Russian punk group Pussy Riot, as their trial concludes.
Forty cities worldwide will participate in the action, from New York to Paris to Moscow; the culmination of months of protests against the arrest of three members of the all‐female group for performing in a Russian Orthodox Church. The women face charges of 'hooliganism' after they performed a song which called on the Virgin Mary to become a feminist and objected to close ties between the Church and the State.
On Friday evening the Melbourne collective will hold a candle ‐lit vigil as the verdict, which could be up to 3 years imprisonment, is handed down. They have held several similar awareness raising events since Pussy Riot's arrest including rallies, a balaclava crafting fundraiser with dozens of local and interstate bands, and a 'fence‐stitch' graffiti protest. Photographs of the Melbourne protests have been published worldwide.
Support for Pussy Riot has come from all walks of life; from high profile acts like Madonna and Patti Smith, to proudly anonymous kids posting pictures of themselves on the net wearing the band's trademark coloured balaclavas. Similar shows of support are expected across the nation including the release of a free Australian punkrock compilation by Sydney based music blog, My Sydney Riot (with Melbourne's own Damn Terran).
'Melbournians stand in solidarity with Pussy Riot. People from all walks of life will gather in at the GPO to let the Russian Ambassador to Australia, Vladimir N. Morozov, know that the world is watching. We expect justice for Pussy Riot.' Melbourne Event Organiser, Peter Bram.
The free compilation, My Pussy Riot, featuring Regurgitator, Dune Rats, Damn Terran and more can be found at the My Sydney Riot here .
The Facebook page for the Melbourne event is here .
Get along and support Pussy Riot on:
Friday August 17th
7 ‐9pm
GPO, Cnr Elizabeth & Bourke St's
Melbourne CBD
