PUSSY RIOT: FLEES RUSSIA UPON CONVICTION

Russian, feminist punk rockers PUSSY RIOT have allegedly fled RUSSIA upon band members conviction for "criminal hooliganism". PUSSY RIOT's conviction stemmed from an incident when the band protested Russian President Putin and stormed the alter in a Moscow church, and sung a provocative punk rock protest song.
Human Rights organization AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL have commented on the guilty verdict vs. Russian punk rockers PUSSY RIOT describing them as "political prisoners".PUSSY RIOT, stormed the alter in a Moscow Orthodox church, and sung a provocative punk rock protest song. Four members of the Russian band PUSSY RIOT stormed the alter in costume 2/21/2012 and sang "Virgin Mary, Get Putin Out." The stunt lasted less than a minute before the women were forcibly removed. PUSSY RIOT were charged with "criminal hooliganism" and sentenced to two years in prison in a Russian court.

ITP V.012 EDITORS NOTE (ON A SEMI RELATED NOTE): FROM NOH8:
Today we celebrate WOMEN'S EQUALITY DAY, commemorating August 26, 1920 -- the day women were finally recognized as equals and granted the right to VOTE. 

Remember, the most effective way for YOU to make your voice heard is to VOTE! The future of our country is in your hands. 



FROM AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL: 

As if the recent trial and sentencing of three members of Pussy Riot wasn't shameful enough, now Russian police are hunting down others in the band. But news broke yesterday that the two wanted members have successfully fled Russia to avoid prosecution for their alleged participation in the peaceful punk performance in a cathedral. Make no mistake about it: Russian authorities are relentless. We watched in horror as stories, videos and tweets poured in from areas around the courthouse where Pussy Riot members were being tried. Reportedly, more than 5 truckloads of protestors were hauled away from the scene. Former world chess champion and opposition leader, Garry Kasparov, was even roughed up and thrown into a police van as he tried to speak to journalists outside the courtroom. Just how far are the Russian authorities willing to go to silence voices of dissent? Tell the Russian government to stop hunting Pussy Riot! By this Friday, the convicted members of Pussy Riot -- Nadezhda Tolokonnikova, 22, Maria Alekhina, 24, and Yekaterina Samutsevich, 30 -- will have submitted an appeal for their 2-year sentences. As we wait for the court to set the hearing date, we will be preparing to spread some good news or sound the alarm, depending on the results. More than 116,000 of you have helped to keep the fire for free speech in Russia burning by taking action. A special thanks to the more than 500 of you who are helping us send a colorful, but powerful, reminder to President Putin and his cronies. Your balaclavas, or ski masks -- like the ones Pussy Riot are known for wearing during their performances -- are piling up and we can't wait to send boxes upon boxes of them to Russia to show that we will not stop fighting until Nadia, Katja, and Masha are released! There's still time to add your ski mask to the pile -- donate $20 or more and we'll send a ski mask to Putin with your name on it. Russian authorities are testing the limits. They want to see just how far they can bend free speech before it breaks. We won't let it happen on our watch.  When Russian authorities enforce fear, we'll stand for peace. When they evade responsibility and accountability, we'll demand justice. And when Russian authorities demand silence. WE. GET. LOUDER!  Raise your voice with me -- free Pussy Riot now! In solidarity, Michelle Ringuette Chief of Campaigns & Programs Amnesty International USA

Thanks-Stay Metal, Stay Brutal-\m/ -l-