The LennonOno Grant for Peace is given every two years to honor Yoko Ono's late husband John Lennon's dedication to peace and human rights.
This year Yoko Ono has presented the award to the husband of Nadia Tolokonnikova one of three members of Pussy Riot found guilty of hooliganism motivated by religious hatred for performing their protest mocking Russian President Vladimir Putin inside a Moscow cathedral.
Ono spoke at the event held in New York last Friday"I thank Pussy Riot in standing firmly in their belief for freedom of expression and making all women of the world proud to be women,"
In response to the peace grant from Ono, Pyotr Verzilov, who accepted the award on behalf of the three imprisoned members announced " Nadia wants people to continue to actively keep fighting and supporting the cause and to learn it is important to stand up for values that are crucial to you, no matter the price, no matter the cost,"
