Madonna, left, introduces Maria Alyokhina and Nadezhda Tolokonnikova of Russian punk protest group Pussy Riot at the Amnesty International concert at Barclays Center in New York City on Feb. 5, 2014
The members of Russian punk group Pussy Riot seem to have emerged from their jail cells emboldened by the experience.
The two young women, who spent 21 months behind bars after staging a protest at a Moscow cathedral, have marked their first U.S. appearance with renewed pledges of defiance against Russian President Vladimir V. Putin.
“We have different ideas about a bright future, and we don’t want a shirtless man on a horse leading us into that bright future,” said Nadezhda Tolokonnikova, 24, referring to an infamous photo of the Russian leader.
In an interview with the New York Times, the group expressed support for demonstrators in Ukraine, called for “subversive” acts in Sochi and hoped protests would spread to other flash points in Russia. The world’s attention, they said, was instrumental to their struggle.
“The support and care shown internationally around the world made us free even though, physically, we were behind bars” said Maria Alyokhina, 25. “This is certainly not the time for us to be afraid,” added Tolokonnikova.
The two women received top billing at an Amnesty International benefit concert at the Barclays Center in New York City on Wednesday night, alongside Madonna, Yoko Ono, Blondie and Lauryn Hill, among other pop idols. They also met the U.S. ambassador to the U.N., Samantha Power. So much for silencing the jailbirds.
Met some brave “troublemakers” today — #PussyRiot‘s @mashaalekhina & @tolokno came by to discuss their time in jail. pic.twitter.com/WMFFkAbbIW
— Samantha Power (@AmbassadorPower) February 5, 2014