Members of Russian Punk Band Pussy Riot Jailed For Offensive Speech: Should the Band Be Freed?

by Fergie Posted 2012/08/15 22:00:00

Related Topics: Music, Madonna, Pussy Riot

208 votes
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	Yes	164 votes	79%
	No	44 votes	21%

The musician community has been up in arms recently over the treatment of Russian feminist punk band Pussy Riot. Three members of Pussy Riot were arrested and jailed for shouting a "punk prayer" during a performance at Moscow's Christ the Saviour Cathedral. In the "prayer," they called the Virgin Mary a feminist and yelled "Put Putin Out!" The Russian government is charging them with "hooliganism motivated by religious hatred" and they face up to three years in prison.

Madonna has been an extremely vocal advocate for the group, and various musicians including Peaches, The Knife, Miike Snow, The Hives and Peter Bjorn & John have come together to make a protest video. So, what do you think? Should Pussy Riot be freed -- or do they deserve jail time?

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+21

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emily_knockout 2012/08/15 22:41:04

Yes

+6
Yes,thats what punk is all about! Speaking freely with some rage and violence,and broadcasting your opinion!
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More polls by Fergie

bryguy to darwolf 2012/08/16 02:11:23

+1
Putin has the entire Russian government on its knees and there is PLENTY of evidence for that.

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Jon Bergen to darwolf 2012/08/20 09:45:30

Problem: they didn't actually break the law the prosecutors charged them with breaking.

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Zuggi 2012/08/15 22:26:40

Yes

+4
It's blatant political suppression.

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TheBadOne 2012/08/15 22:19:25

Yes

+2
Glad I ain't Russian.

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Wortmore 2012/08/15 22:16:04

No

+2
I live in Russia, hate speech is hate speech

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☠ Live ... to Wortmore 2012/08/15 22:27:58

+2
How was that hate speech?

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Zuggi to Wortmore 2012/08/15 22:30:41

+3
Umm... what was the hate part of their speech?

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bryguy to Wortmore 2012/08/15 22:48:09

+3
I apologize that you have such backwards laws that people get thrown into prison for words.

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Heisenberg to Wortmore 2012/08/15 23:53:12

+6

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Wortmore to Heisenberg 2012/08/16 03:05:02

+1
That's why no one messes with Putin

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Greg to Wortmore 2012/08/16 15:48:02

+1
Hate speech or not, the unalienable right of freedom of speech is endowed to all men by our creator regardless of where one is born, NOT granted by any state. If your government doesn't recognize that, then it is illegitimate and up to its citizens to overthrow it just as our forefathers did when the King illegitimately abridged that right in the 18th century. Incidentally, since known atheists also signed the Declaration of Independence, the term "our creator" is not necessarily a religious term.

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☠ Live Free Or Die ☠ 2012/08/15 21:59:51

Yes

+5
Hell yeah! Free Pussy Riot!

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Rock 2012/08/15 21:53:33

Yes

+2
I don't know, but that wasn't an option. What are the laws in Russia concerning these matters? I suspect there is no "Freedom of Speech" in Russia and there may very well be a law against offensive speech in a place of worship.

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Jon Bergen to Rock 2012/08/20 09:49:30

The law the prosecutors charged the girls with breaking was a law prohibiting hate speech. The prosecutors maintained the girls were not engaged in political speech, but in hate speech against the church. The song is not anti-religious and celebrates Mary as an empowered female, praying for her aid in ousting Putin from power. It was absolutely political speech.

The truth didn't matter, however, as the verdict had been predetermined before the start of the trial.

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Rock to Jon Bergen 2012/08/20 22:02:18

+1
"One man's truth is another man's lie." Guess they will get to think about it for 2 years. That's just another reason to love the good ole U.S. of A.

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Jon Bergen to Rock 2012/08/22 20:49:14

Agreed, given that all modern states are to one degree or another police states, better to live in a more relaxed police state than one as tense as Russia.

On the other hand, some people take the position of, 'Just leave! Go somewhere else if you don't like it!' Which most folks realize is easier said than done, and also still fails to address the problem of authoritarian regimes and the corruption, brutality and oppression which gives their leaders so much joy.

If things were as bad here in the USA as they are in Russia, what would you do?

a.) abandon your homeland and seek refuge in a freer, happier country?

or

b.) seek to improve, rescue and restore the land that you love?

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Vision of Verve 2012/08/15 21:53:09
Of Thee I Sing... 2012/08/15 21:51:59

Yes

+2
If they are from that country....they know the rules...then YES....

If they are from another country..then they should know the rules....then YES

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Heisenberg 2012/08/15 21:47:55

Yes

+4

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The Elitist Libtard SodaJerk 2012/08/15 21:41:44

Yes

+3
It happened in Moscow. They're still learning.

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