Alicia Silverstone Cluelessly Defends Pussy Riot
One of the only good things to come out of Russia's ridiculous Pussy Riot trial is that their supporters have come out in droves, and the second best thing? Cher Horowitz Alicia Silverstone's roundabout defense of the band and vegan appeal to President Vladimir Putin. "As a vegan myself, I was deeply concerned to learn that one of the women, Maria Alekhina, who is a vegan, reportedly collapsed from hunger during a court session," Horowitz Silverstone wrote in a letter to President Putin (the letter can be found here on PETA's U.K. website and appears to be, for better or worse, real). "Regardless of the trial and its outcome, I’m sure you can agree that everyone has the right to show compassion and refrain from harming animals by being vegan," she adds. Okay, so Silverstone's response, doesn't really address say, the idea of free speech or the example-making and symbolism of Russia punishing this feminist punk band for protesting against the Russian Orthodox Church (and its ties to the Kremlin) the way fellow 90s icons Madonna and Björk have, but it's something.
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In a more serious and less PETA-driven response, a masked flash-mob appeared outside of the Christ the Saviour cathedral today in support of the band before the Friday verdict: If convicted, the three members face up to three years in jail. "Witnesses said 18 activists in colourful balaclavas like those worn by the three band members mounted the steps of Christ the Saviour and held up cards spelling out the phrase 'Blessed are the merciful'" reports Sky News (picture right, via Sky News). They add:
A police source told the ITAR-TASS news agency: "Guards detained three young men... who were trying to hold a protest on the church steps in support of Pussy Riot," adding the detainees were taken to a station for questioning.
Here's an image of Silverstone's alleged letter. No, unfortunately it does not end with,"And in conclusion may I please remind you it does not say R.S.V.P. on the Statue of Liberty."
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