Pussy Riot

Pussy Riot is a Russian conceptual art and feminist political activist group that has been one of the world’s most prominent art groups in recent years. In August 2012, three members were sentenced to two years in prison following an anti-Putin performance in Moscow's Cathedral of Christ the Saviour, attracting international attention and support from Sir Paul McCartney, Madonna, Peter Gabriel, Bjork and Aung San Suu Kyi. Soon after their release in December 2013 Pussy Riot launched independent news service Mediazona. Members of Pussy Riot have spoken before the US Congress, UK and European Parliaments and appeared on stage with world leaders including Bill Clinton.

Founded in August 2011, Pussy Riot has a variable membership of approximately 11 women ranging in age from about 20 to 33, who wear brightly colored balaclavas and use only nicknames during interviews. They stage unauthorized provocative guerrilla performances in unusual public locations, which are edited into music videos and posted on the Internet. Their lyrical themes include feminism, LGBT rights, opposition to the policies of Russian President Vladimir Putin, whom they regard as a dictator, and links between the leadership of the Russian Orthodox Church and Putin.

A handful of Rock groups are known for their political activism - U2, Rage Against The Machine, System Of A Down and The Clash - while countless others have written songs criticizing government leaders or their actions. A lot of times, these protests go barely noticed. But in '12, Pussy Riot, a little known Russian female Punk band staged a political protest that resulted in charges of "hooliganism motivated by religious hatred." The group was put on trial facing the possibility of a lengthy prison sentence.