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Björk dedicates song to Pussy Riot, Russian politician calls Madonna an “ex-whore” for doing the same

By CMU Editorial | Published on Tuesday 14 August 2012

During her headline show at last weekend’s Flow Festival in Helsinki on Sunday, Björk dedicated a performance of her song ‘Declare Independence’ to the three members of Russian punk band Pussy Riot currently on trial in Moscow on charges of hooliganism. She later revealed that she had wanted other members of the band to join her on stage, but they were unable to get visas to travel to Finland in time.

As previously reported, Maria Alyokhina, Nadezhda Tolokonnikova and Yekaterina Samutsevich – better known as Masha, Nadya and Katya – were arrested earlier this year accused of being amongst the five members of the ten strong band who performed a “punk prayer” against president Vladimir Putin on the altar of the Cathedral Of Christ The Saviour Of The Russian Orthodox Church in Moscow. All three have pleaded not guilty to the charges against them.

Following growing worldwide media coverage of the three band members’ case this month, in a statement on her website ahead of her performance this weekend, Björk said: “As a musician and a mother I would like to express I fiercely don’t agree with them being put to jail because of their peaceful protest performance. They are currently standing trial and facing seven years in prison for this. In my opinion the Russian authorities should let them go home to their families and children. I would like to invite Pussy Riot to join me in a particular song on stage, which was written for all enhancement of justice (you can guess – once – which one)”.

Yesterday, she added via Facebook: “I invited some of Pussy Riot’s members to join me on stage in ‘Declare Independence’ but they didn’t get visas so I dedicated it to them instead! The conclusion in their case is at the end of the week. Here’s to freedom of speech!”

As previously reported, Madonna also came to the women’s defence last week, telling the audience at a show in Moscow: “I know there are many sides to every story, and I mean no disrespect to the church or the government, but I think that these three girls – Masha, Katya, Nadya – I think that they have done something courageous. I pray for their freedom”.

In response, Russian’s Vice President Dmitry Rogozin tweeted: “Every ex-whore tends to lecture everybody with age. Especially during world tours and concerts”.

So, there you go. Who said the Russian government was heavy handed when it came to dealing with detractors?

Watch Björk dedicate ‘Declare Independence’ to Pussy Riot here: