Carta a las Pussy Riot en prisión

Cuando falta poco para cumplirse un año del encarcelamiento de tres de las integrantes de la banda punk rusa Pussy Riot, una importante lista de músicos firmaron un comunicado de apoyo hacia Maia Alyokhina y Nadezhda Tolokonnikova, las dos chicas que siguen bajo rejas (Yekaterina, la tercera, está actualmente en libertad).

Entre los que se unieron en apoyo de las capturadas se encuentra Radiohead, Arcade Fire, Bruce Springsteen, The Knife, Paul McCartney, Björk, Yoko Ono, Patti Smith, Eddie Vedder, Franz Ferdinand, los sobrevivientes de The Clash… la lista sigue y la carta expresa algo de carño y admiración por la fuerza de Maia y Nadezhda.

En febrero del año pasado, el grupo femenino se metió en una catedral rusa y cantó en contra de la Iglesia por apoyar al presidente Putin. A raíz del suceso, las tres integrantes fueron detenidas y unos meses después declaradas culpables por vandalismo. Acá podés recordar el caso completo.

Actualmente queda un año de prisión para las dos chicas que encabezaron la protesta.

Dear Masha and Nadia,

As the one-year anniversary of your trial approaches, we are writing to assure you that, around the world, people are both still thinking of you and working for your release. Although you were the most visible of the protesters, we know that there were many other young people who have suffered in the protests, about whom we are also very concerned. But, in many ways, through your imprisonment, you have come to represent them.

Many artists voiced their concern when these charges were first brought against you, we had every hope that the authorities, in dealing with you, would show some understanding, a sense of proportion, even some of the wonderful Russian sense of humour, but none of the above were forthcoming.

The impact of your shockingly unjust trial and imprisonment has spread far and wide. Especially among your fellow artists, musicians and citizens around the world, including the many parents who feel your anguish at being separated from your children. 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.

The right to freedom of expression and dissent is a legitimate one and essential in any kind of democracy. You have been accused of what could be described as ‘a victimless’ crime, but in our opinion, in a just society, there can be no crime where there is no identifiable ‘victim’.

Your strength, bravery and fearlessness are an inspiration to us all. 

Radiohead, Arcade Fire, Bruce Springsteen, the Knife, Paul McCartney, Björk, Animal Collective, Yoko Ono, Portishead, PJ Harvey, Adele, Patti Smith, Sleigh Bells, Karen O, Yasiin Bey, the surviving members of the Clash, Coldplay, Lily Allen, Cat Power, Franz Ferdinand, Kim Gordon, Lykke Li, Madonna, Phoenix, Michael Stipe, U2, Johnny Marr, Stephen Malkmus, Eddie Vedder, Thurston Moore.