Springsteen, McCartney, Arcade Fire, Radiohead & More Sign Pussy Riot Letter

 

Over 70 musical artists have come together with Amnesty International to lend their support to the cause of imprisoned members of Russian punk collective Pussy Riot, signing an open letter calling for their release ahead of their parole hearing next week.
In the letter, the musicians call out the injustice of the two women’s imprisonment assuring the incarcerated that their “Shockingly unjust trial and imprisonment has spread far and wide, especially among your fellow artists, musicians and citizens around the world.”
When referencing the Russian authorities, the musicians take a firm but diplomatic stance.
“While understanding the sensitivities of protesting in a place of worship, we ask that the Russian authorities review these harsh sentences, so that you may return to your children, your families and your lives.”
Yoko Ono, one of the letter’s signatories, said "I thank Pussy Riot for standing firmly in their belief for Freedom of Expression, and making all women of the world proud to be women."
The full list of acts who have signed is as follows:
Bryan Adams, Adele, Anti-Flag, Arcade Fire, Archive, Joan Armatrading, Joan Baez, Beardyman, Jeff Beck, Yasiin Bey, björk, Rubén Blades, Bono, Billy Bragg, Jackson Browne, Peter Buck, Tracy Chapman, Nenah Cherry, The Clash, Coldplay, Django Django, Melissa Etheridge, Paloma Faith, First Aid Kit, fun., Peter Gabriel, Sir Bob Geldof, Kim Gordon, Debbie Harry, PJ Harvey, Don Henley, The Hidden Cameras, Niall Horan, Billy Joel, Sir Elton John, Ke$ha, Angelique Kidjo, The Knife, Mark Knopfler, Sean Lennon, Annie Lennox, Sir Paul McCartney, Romy Madley-Croft, Madonna, Zayn Malik, Stephen Malkmus, Johnny Marr, Massive Attack, Mike Mills, Thurston Moore, Tom Morello, Alanis Morissette, Graham Nash, Kate Nash, Youssou N'Dour, Karen O, Yoko Ono, Clock Opera, Ozzy Osbourne, Liam Payne, Peaches, Joe Perry, Phoenix, Rain Phoenix, Cat Power, Radiohead, Bonnie Raitt, Rise Against, Patti Scialfa, Scissor Sisters, Paul Simon, Sleigh Bells, Patti Smith, Esperanza Spalding, Bruce Springsteen, Dave Stewart, Sting, Michael Stipe, Harry Styles, Neil Tennant, Louis Tomlinson, Pete Townshend, K T Tunstall and Eddie Vedder.
Three women were charged with “hooliganism on grounds of religious hatred” last year after a demonstration at Moscow’s Christ the Saviour Cathedral in February. There has been widespread criticism of the heavy handedness of the punishment against the women, including from the Australian government and even the Russian Prime Minister.
Punk Vs Putin: What’s The Big Deal About Pussy Riot?
They were found guilty in August. One of the women, Ekaterina Samutsevich, was released on probation but Maria Alekhina and Nadezhda Tolokonnikova remain in prison. They will have parole hearings next week.
Pussy Riot have previously appealed to the Court Of Human Rights about the punishment, but no amount of pressure has freed the women as yet.

Staff Writer

Source: http://themusic.com.au