New Pussy Riot video targets oil, Russian homophobia, Vladimir Putin
Pussy Riot, Russia’s politically charged female punk band, is back with a new music video slamming the oil industry.
According to the Associated Press, the video is the first for the group in nearly a year. Three members were imprisoned for a prank denouncing Vladimir Putin.
You can watch the video above.
Reuters reported that the video takes aim at Putin, calling him homophobic because of new legislation banning the spread among minors of “propaganda” seen as supporting homosexuality.
The video also refers to “homophobic vermin” in Russia, Reuters reported.
Some background from the Associated Press:
The video shows band members in trademark bright-colored ski masks and short skirts, cavorting and shrieking atop an oil rig. Backed by hectic guitar and a drum fusillade, they liken the Russian president to an Iranian ayatollah.
As they pour oil on a large photo of Igor Sechin, chairman of state oil giant Rosneft, they shout “Homophobic reptile — get out of history.”
One member of the collective, who gave only her stage name of Grelka, said after the video’s Tuesday release that “the main message is that Putin has spread the country’s wealth among his friends.”
Three members were sentenced to two years for an anti-Putin “punk prayer” in Moscow’s main cathedral. One was later released on probation.
The convictions, on the charge of hooliganism motivated by religious hatred, sparked widespread criticism of Russia as suppressing free speech and opposition.
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