Pussy Riot member Nadya Tolokonnikova was detained by Russian authorities earlier today (June 11) after staging a public protest in support of female prisoners.
The protest took place in Moscow's Bolotnaya Square, where Tolokonnikova and activist Katya Nenasheva began laying out strips of white, blue and red fabric. They intended to sew together the patterns, which correspond with the colouring of the Russian flag, to spell out "Prison Camp Russia." Tolokonnikova and Nenasheva were also dressed in mock-prison jumpsuits with serial numbers on them.
Authorities showed up to Bolotnaya Square and took the pair away in a police van, dragging Tolokonnikova into the vehicle. Mashable "conflict photographer" Evgeny Feldman was on-hand to document the incident, while Tolokonnikova is currently posting a series of selfies on her Facebook account while under police custody.
According to various Russian media reports, the two women were detained for holding an "unsanctioned rally."
The protest was staged in support of female prisoners in Russia. A Facebook post from Tolokonnikova was posted ahead of the protest. It is titled "Don't Be Afraid," and it outlines the reasons behind the protest and the difficulties of prisoners reintegrating into society after being released.
"A woman is experiencing huge psychological difficulties," the translated post reads. "In addition to the difficulties in finding a job is a loss of direction in space, shyness in communication, ignorance of the current social climate. This fear is already a new world for them, fear awareness its personality, aggression and fear another wave of condemnation."
You can read the full statement here.
In related news, members of Pussy Riot are expected to appear at Toronto Pride as international grand marshals for the fest's parade on June 28.
The protest took place in Moscow's Bolotnaya Square, where Tolokonnikova and activist Katya Nenasheva began laying out strips of white, blue and red fabric. They intended to sew together the patterns, which correspond with the colouring of the Russian flag, to spell out "Prison Camp Russia." Tolokonnikova and Nenasheva were also dressed in mock-prison jumpsuits with serial numbers on them.
Authorities showed up to Bolotnaya Square and took the pair away in a police van, dragging Tolokonnikova into the vehicle. Mashable "conflict photographer" Evgeny Feldman was on-hand to document the incident, while Tolokonnikova is currently posting a series of selfies on her Facebook account while under police custody.
According to various Russian media reports, the two women were detained for holding an "unsanctioned rally."
The protest was staged in support of female prisoners in Russia. A Facebook post from Tolokonnikova was posted ahead of the protest. It is titled "Don't Be Afraid," and it outlines the reasons behind the protest and the difficulties of prisoners reintegrating into society after being released.
"A woman is experiencing huge psychological difficulties," the translated post reads. "In addition to the difficulties in finding a job is a loss of direction in space, shyness in communication, ignorance of the current social climate. This fear is already a new world for them, fear awareness its personality, aggression and fear another wave of condemnation."
You can read the full statement here.
In related news, members of Pussy Riot are expected to appear at Toronto Pride as international grand marshals for the fest's parade on June 28.
