Tuesday, October 2, 2012

Blog 5: Religious Conflict



Moscow Court Postpones Pussy Riot Hearing 
Katherine Baxter, 10/2/2012


This article discusses the court hearing for the punk band Pussy Riot. Pussy Riot consists of three women in their early 20s and early 30s. The women were convicted of “hooliganism” for disrespecting Moscow’s main Russian Orthodox cathedral; Pussy Riot staged a “punk prayer”.  The stunt was executed to criticize protest Vladimir Putin’s campaign for president. Pussy Riot was sentenced to two years of prison; fans from all over the world are outraged at Russia for the lack of political speech, and have started protests for Pussy Riot. Pussy Riot is becoming one of the best known examples of Russian political opposition. Many people of Russia are outraged at the Pussy Riot’s performance at the cathedral in Moscow.  The women’s punk prayer was “‘an insult and humiliation of the Christian faith and inciting religious hatred’” states Marina Syrova, the judge who convicted Pussy Riot. The women’s hearing is being postponed due to one of the band member’s disagreement with her lawyer. For Pussy Riot’s hearing hundreds of angered fans lined outside the courthouse in support; a few fans were arrested.

The significance of this article is showing Russian’s lack of political speech. Three women are being imprisoned for voicing their opinions. The reason many people were upset with Pussy Riot’s “punk prayer” is because of the complete disrespect to the Russian Orthodox cathedral. The reaction from fans around the world shows that Pussy Riot’s conviction is unjust. Sting, Madonna, and other governments from around the globe are in support of freeing Pussy Riot. In major cities around the world fans and people hearing about the injustice have come together in riots; they wear colorful balaclavas (Pussy Riots trademark). Most societies disagree with Punk Riot’s conviction, but this article shows the lack of political voice and religious voice in Russia. 

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