Pussy Riot book chronicles punk band’s fight for freedom and gets support from musicians across the globe

Prayer is not something usually associated with the punk movement, but Pussy Riot has never let rules or expectations define their next move. With two band members of the Russian punk band still in prison, their new book “Pussy Riot! A Punk Prayer for Freedom” will be available in print edition in January.

The book presents Pussy Riot’s powerful message to the world in book form so the world’s punks and feminists can pass down their stories to future generations. It will include translations of the band’s courtroom statements, letters from prison and poems. And that’s not all — musicians including Yoko Ono, JD Samson and Johanna Fateman of Le Tigre, Peaches and Bianca Jagger have contributed letters of tribute to show their solidarity with the group. Proceeds from the book sale will support freepussyriot.org.

Pussy Riot is a Russian punk music and art collective that was charged with felony hooliganism for a feminist performance in Moscow. Three members were arrested, and two face up to two years in prison because a Russian appeals court refused to overturn their sentences in October despite an international outcry against their imprisonment.

Artists around the world have rallied around the group and spoken out on their behalf, including Pink Floyd’s Roger Waters, Sting, Switchfoot and Amanda Palmer. Meanwhile, Amnesty International is mobilizing fans and supporters to add themselves to the Free Pussy Riot Map to help protect their human rights. Bands including Foster the People, Flogging Molly and Switchfoot have added themselves to the map along with statements of encouragement and support. Add yourself to the map here.

When speaking about Pussy Riot, Sting said: “Dissent is a legitimate and essential right in any democracy and modern politicians must accept this fact with tolerance.”

What’s more, TIME Magazine recently nominated Pussy Riot as Person of the Year for paying such a steep price for their provocative political self expression.

“Pussy Riot!: A Punk Prayer For Freedom” is available for pre-order (prior to its January publication date) on Amazon.com. The book was released by Feminist Press, an independent nonprofit literary publisher that promotes freedom of expression and social justice.

 

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