• Press Release

Second Annual Pussy Riot Solidarity Concert to be Held Front of the Russian Embassy

August 13, 2013

Amnesty International to host punk bands on Friday, August 16

Contact: Sharon Singh, [email protected], 202-675-8579, @AIUSAmedia

(WASHINGTON, D.C.) – Amnesty International members, activists and music lovers will show their support for Pussy Riot at the second annual punk concert in front of the Russian Embassy on Friday, August 16 beginning at 6 p.m.

In July, Russian courts refused to grant parole to Pussy Riot band members Masha Alekhina and Nadya Tolokonnikova. They have been imprisoned for more than 16 months after performing a “Punk Prayer” in Moscow’s Christ the Savior Cathedral.

The event will feature a variety of speakers and several musical acts. Participants will show their support by wearing balaclavas and holding a variety of visuals to honor the women and other Russians who have been denied their basic human right to freedom of expression.

Since President Putin returned to office, the Russian government has clamped down even harder on free expression and assembly, attempting to silence critical voices and curtail the growing protest movement. In the fallout of the Pussy Riot trial, Putin recently signed a law that allows up to three years of imprisonment for “public actions aimed at insulting religious feelings.”

TIME: Friday, August 16 from 6 – 9 p.m.

LOCATION: In front of the Russian Embassy (Corner of Wisconsin Ave & Edmunds St. NW)

PERFORMERS: Edie Sedwick & Jail Solidarity and G.U.T.S.

Join the event on Facebook, and take action to free Pussy Riot!

Amnesty International is a Nobel Peace Prize-winning grassroots activist organization with more than 3 million supporters, activists, and volunteers in more than 150 countries campaigning for human rights worldwide. The organization investigates and exposes abuses, educates and mobilizes the public, and works to protect people wherever justice, freedom, truth, and dignity are denied.