THIS STORY BEGINS AT CHURCH February 21, 2012: The stage was Moscow’s Cathedral of Christ the Saviour of the Russian Orthodox Church and in the audience a group of unsuspecting visitors. Pussy Riot, a Russian all female punk rock band, took to the center pulpit to stage their protest against the re-election of Vladimir Putin. Three woman dressed in bright colored dresses and balaclavas bowed to the alter, crossed themselves and the proceeded to perform a song asking the Virgin Mary to “drive Putin away”. The trio was removed from the church within a few minutes.

THE TIMELINE
FEBRUARY 21 – PUSSY RIOT PERFORMACE @ CHRIST THE SAVIOUR
MARCH 3 – MARIA ALYOKHINA & NADEZHDA TOLOKONNIKOVA ARRESTED & CHARGED WITH HOOLIGANISM
MARCH 16 – EKATERINA SAMOUTSEVITCH ARRESTED & CHARGED WITH HOOLIGANISM
MARCH 21 – PARTRIACH OF ALL RUSSIA, KIRILL I CONDEMNS PUSSY RIOT AS “BLASPHEMOUS”
JUNE 4 – 2,800 PAGE LONG INDICTMENT & FORMAL CHARGES RECEIVED
JULY 4 – ALLEGED PUSSY RIOT MEMBERS INFORMED THEY MUST BE FINISHED PREPARING DEFENSE BY JULY 9
JULY 4 – ALLEGED PUSSY RIOT MEMBERS ANNOUNCE HUNGER STRIKE IN PROTEST OF INADEQUATE TIME
JULY 21 – COURT EXTENDS PRE-TRIAL DETENTION BY ANOTHER 6 MONTHS
JULY 30 – TRIAL BEGINS AT MOSCOS’ KHAMOVNIKI DISTRICT COURT

Confirmed Readers:
Chloe Sevigny
Eileen Myles
Karen Finley
Johanna Fateman
Mx Justin Vivian Bond[ ATTENTION ] FREE PUSSY RIOT PUBLIC READING [ ATTENTION ]
LIVE STREAM starts Thursday August 16 @ 7:30 EDT HERE

Co-sponsored by Amnesty International & Breslin Bar and Dining Room presents
Liberty Hall at Ace Hotel

Produced by JD Samson and FreePussyRiot.org

Flyer by Ginger Brooks Takahashi Toight, August 16th @ 7:30pm EDT, on the eve of the trial’s verdict, Pussy Riot’s inspirational court room statements will be read by supporters of the Free Pussy Riot movement, including Chloe Sevigny, Eileen Myles, Karen Finley, Johanna Fateman, Mx Justin Vivian Bond (+ others to be announced) info here.

The event is co-sponsored by Amnesty International & Breslin Bar and Dining Room at Liberty Hall at Ace Hotel. Produced by JD Samson and FreePussyRiot.org

The verdict for the Pussy Riot trial will be stated on Friday August 17 @ 3pm Moscow Time (8am EST). ALSO: There will be a march and rally on Friday, info here. Free Pussy Riot encourages any artists / activists to join on Thursday evening and Friday in solidarity with the three detained women, Maria Alekhina, Nadezhda Tolokonnikova and Ekaterina Samucevich of Pussy Riot.

FREE PUSSY RIOT: In support for the release of the members of the feminist performance Art group Pussy Riot; Maria Alekhina, Nadezhda Tolokonnikova and Ekaterina Samucevich.
http://www.freepussyriot.org/
https://twitter.com/freepussyriot
#FreePussyRiot
#LetOurSistersGo

WHAT On the eve of the verdict in the Pussy Riot trial, an energetic evening of readings of the inspirational court room statements by the detained women of Pussy Riot. The narrated program will also include selected prison letters and other translated material along with court room attendees written observations.

 The event will be streamed live HERE.

Writers: Katja Samutsevich, Nadia Tolokonnikova, Masha Alyekhina

WHERE:
Breslin Bar and Dining Room presents Liberty Hall at the Ace Hotel
20 West 29th Street
New York, NY 10001

WHEN:
Thursday, August 16th
Doors open at 7:30pm EDT
Free and open to the public