In a three-hour benefit concert held last night in Brooklyn for Amnesty International, two members of Russian band Pussy Riot joined Madonna, Yoko Ono and Imagine Dragons on stage to call for a U.S. boycott of the Winter Olympics in Sochi. Other acts at the concert included included Lauryn Hill, Sting, Cold War Kids, Debbie Harry and Cake.
Nadya Tolokonnikova and Masha Alyokhina have long advocated for a free Russia and were sentenced to two years in jail for a crass anti-Putin performance on altar of an orthodox cathedral in Moscow.
International outcry eventually led to the women’s release, though they have been outspoken in their belief that they believe this was only a political stunt to placate protestors and to draw attention away from other cruel acts perpetuated by the Russian government.
The pair was introduced by Madonna, who is a big supporter of them and their mission, saying she received death threats on her Russian tour and that some of her gay fans in the country have been arrested simply for being gay.
The Sochi Olympics are already getting a bad rap. Russian’s anti-gay policies have prompted calls for a boycott already. Additionally, reporters have been filling up social media with tales of how horrible the accommodations are, including unfinished hotels, discolored water, cramped rooms, unexpected intrusions and roving, stray dogs in the streets.
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