:Pussy Riot

File:Pussy Riot - Denis Bochkarev 5.jpg

Pussy Riot is a collective formed in late 2011 in response to national politics in Russia.{{Cite journal |last=Tochka |first=Nicholas| date=May 2013 |title=Pussy Riot, freedom of expression, and popular music studies after the Cold War |journal=Popular Music |language=en |volume=32 |issue=2 |pages=303–311 |doi=10.1017/S026114301300007X |s2cid=162697031 |issn=0261-1430}} Its name, consisting of two English-language words{{cite web |url=https://languagelog.ldc.upenn.edu/nll/?p=4134 |title=Language Log » Rendering "Pussy Riot" in Russian |website=Languagelog.ldc.upenn.edu |access-date=June 27, 2015 |archive-date=June 27, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150627112141/https://languagelog.ldc.upenn.edu/nll/?p=4134 |url-status=live }} written in the Latin alphabet, usually appears that way in the Russian press, though it is sometimes transliterated into Cyrillic as "Пусси Райот".{{cite web |last=Uitti |first=Jacob |title=Behind the Shocking History of the Band Name Pussy Riot |url=https://americansongwriter.com/behind-the-shocking-history-of-the-band-name-pussy-riot/ |website=American Songwriter |date=20 February 2023}} The group consisted of around a dozen performers.

Nadezhda Tolokonnikova, her husband, Pyotr Verzilov, and Yekaterina Samutsevich were members of the anarchist art collective "Voina" from the group's early days in 2007,{{cite web |last=Jones |first=Josh |title=A History of Pussy Riot: Watch the Band's Early Performances/Protests Against the Putin Regime |url=https://www.openculture.com/2014/03/a-history-of-pussy-riot.html |website=Open Culture |access-date=2 October 2022 |date=March 18, 2014}} until an acrimonious split in 2009.{{Cite news |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-blog-pussy-riots-idUSBRE87F0PW20120816 |title=Photographer's blog: Witness to Pussy Riot's activist beginnings |date=2012-08-16 |work=Reuters|access-date=2020-01-25 |language=en |archive-date=July 7, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200707215614/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-blog-pussy-riots-idUSBRE87F0PW20120816 |url-status=live}} Following the split, they formed a separate Moscow-based group, also named "Voina", saying that they had as much right to use the name as Voina founder Oleg Vorotnikov.{{cite news |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-blog-pussy-riots-idUSBRE87F0PW20120816 |title=Witness to Pussy Riot's activist beginnings |author=Thomas Peter |work=Reuters |date=August 16, 2012 |access-date=October 27, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121022025642/http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/08/16/us-blog-pussy-riots-idUSBRE87F0PW20120816 |archive-date=October 22, 2012 |url-status=live }}

Tolokonnikova and Samutsevich gave a lecture on punk feminism in 2011, in which they refer to the "Pisya Riot" band as a striking example of punk feminist art in Russia, but did not reveal their relation to the band until their arrest in 2012.{{cite AV media | people=Krugovikh, Taisiya (director) | date=2014 | title=Pussy protiv Putina | trans-title = Pussy versus Putin | type=Motion picture | location=Russia}}

The group was started by 15 women, several of whom were previously involved in Voina. While there is no official line-up and the band says anyone can join, it usually has between 10 and 20 members.{{Cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/russia-pussy-riot-brand-madonna-idINDEE8AL09F20121122|title=Russia's Pussy Riot spurn chance to cash in on fame|date=2012-11-22|work=Reuters|access-date=2020-01-25|language=en|archive-date=January 25, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200125103255/https://www.reuters.com/article/russia-pussy-riot-brand-madonna-idINDEE8AL09F20121122|url-status=live}} The members prefer anonymity and are known for wearing brightly coloured balaclavas when performing and using aliases when giving interviews.{{Cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/russia-pussyriot-profile-idINDEE87705920120808|title=Russia's Pussy Riot: Unmasked and on trial|date=2012-08-08|work=Reuters|access-date=2020-01-25|language=en|archive-date=January 25, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200125102251/https://www.reuters.com/article/russia-pussyriot-profile-idINDEE87705920120808|url-status=live}} At the start, the group was relatively unknown, but this changed following a February 2012 performance in Moscow's Cathedral of Christ the Saviour.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-25490161|title=Pussy Riot: The story so far|date=2013-12-23|work=BBC News|access-date=2020-01-24|language=en-GB|archive-date=July 16, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180716070512/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-25490161|url-status=live}} Following the performance, three women, Maria Alyokhina, Yekaterina Samutsevich and Nadezhda Tolokonnikova, were publicly identified and eventually convicted of hooliganism motivated by religious hatred.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-19297373|title=Pussy Riot jailed for hooliganism|date=2012-08-17|work=BBC News|access-date=2020-01-25|language=en-GB|archive-date=December 28, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191228064114/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-19297373|url-status=live}} Two other women involved fled the country and have never been named.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-19385936|title=Pussy Riot pair 'leave Russia'|date=2012-08-26|work=BBC News|access-date=2020-01-25|language=en-GB|archive-date=September 16, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200916072759/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-19385936|url-status=live}}

Tolokonnikova is seen as the face of the group.{{Cite magazine|author=Masha Gessen|url=https://www.newyorker.com/news/our-columnists/a-pussy-riot-activist-is-the-victim-of-the-latest-apparent-poisoning-in-russia|title=A Pussy Riot Activist Is the Victim of the Latest Apparent Poisoning in Russia|date=2018-09-13|magazine=The New Yorker |access-date=2024-05-31|language=en-US}} She was born in Norilsk and studied at Moscow State University. Tolokonnikova and then-husband Pyotr Verzilov were members of Voina from 2007.{{Cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/blogs/nme-blogs/who-are-pussy-riot-russia-activist-group-world-cup-final-pitch-invasion-2354987|title=Who are Pussy Riot? A guide to the Russian activist group who crashed the World Cup Final {{!}} NME|date=2018-09-13|website=NME Music News, Reviews, Videos, Galleries, Tickets and Blogs {{!}} NME.COM|language=en-GB|access-date=2020-01-25|archive-date=January 25, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200125102251/https://www.nme.com/blogs/nme-blogs/who-are-pussy-riot-russia-activist-group-world-cup-final-pitch-invasion-2354987|url-status=live}} They were involved in provocative art performances that included drawing a {{Convert|65|meter|foot|abbr=in}} penis on a bridge and having public sex in a Moscow biological museum.{{Cite web|url=https://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5hYit0PJ6FRivS8hKmQZ-vR1BVIIA?docId=bef6ebfb-86e2-486a-b4fa-d62653a4f27a|title=AFP: Pussy Riot: symbol of the new anti-Putin opposition|work=Google News |date=2014-03-05|access-date=2020-01-25|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140305060835/https://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5hYit0PJ6FRivS8hKmQZ-vR1BVIIA?docId=bef6ebfb-86e2-486a-b4fa-d62653a4f27a|archive-date=March 5, 2014}} Alyokhina is a single mother, poet and previously did work as an environmental activist. She was a student at the Institute of Journalism and Creative Writing in Moscow.{{Cite web|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/meet-the-all-girl-punk-band-putin-wants-kept-in-prison-2012-8|title=Meet The All-Girl Punk Band Putin Wants Kept In Prison|last=Douglas|first=Ana|date=2012-08-05|website=Business Insider Australia|language=en|access-date=2020-01-25|archive-date=January 25, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200125102256/https://www.businessinsider.com.au/meet-the-all-girl-punk-band-putin-wants-kept-in-prison-2012-8|url-status=live}}

Samutsevich joined Voina in 2008, at the same time as Alyokhina.{{Cite news|url=https://www.haaretz.com/life/.premium.MAGAZINE-the-day-the-protest-died-whatever-happened-to-pussy-riot-1.5626863|title=The Day the Protest Died: Whatever Happened to Pussy Riot?|date=2017-11-25|work=Haaretz|access-date=2020-01-25|language=en|archive-date=January 25, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200125103631/https://www.haaretz.com/life/.premium.MAGAZINE-the-day-the-protest-died-whatever-happened-to-pussy-riot-1.5626863|url-status=live}} She is a computer programmer and a former member of Moscow's {{ill|Rodchenko School of Photography and Multimedia|ru|Московская школа фотографии и мультимедиа имени Родченко}}.{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2012/aug/08/pussy-riot-profile-yekaterina-samutsevich|title=Pussy Riot profile: Yekaterina Samutsevich|last=Elder|first=Miriam|date=2012-08-08|work=The Guardian|access-date=2020-01-25|language=en-GB|issn=0261-3077|archive-date=January 25, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200125103311/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2012/aug/08/pussy-riot-profile-yekaterina-samutsevich|url-status=live}} Samutsevich's hooliganism sentence was commuted and following release, she disappeared from the public eye. During the trial, Verzilov lobbied on behalf of all three band members, but was later dismissed after it was reported that he was the band's producer. The prisoners wrote a letter saying "The only person who has the right to represent the group is a woman with a balaclava."

Following release, Tolokonnikova and Alyokhina said they were no longer members of the group, although they appeared at various events around the world using the name Pussy Riot. Other members tried to distance themselves from the two, saying that although they were glad for their release, the members were anti-capitalistic and did not support their use of Pussy Riot to make money from songs and tours. After failing to prevent them from using the Pussy Riot name, they declared the group dead.

In 2015, Tolokonnikova and Alyokhina went their own ways and although they still follow similar paths and keep in touch, Pussy Riot is seen by some as more Tolokonnikova's project than the collective it started out as. Alyokhina created her own show, Riot Days (based on her memoir with the same name[https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/34759979-riot-days Riot Days]at goodreads), which recounts her life as a Russian activist, and tours various fringe festivals.{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2018/aug/19/pussy-riot-riot-days-review-edinburgh-summerhall-maria-alyokhina|title=Pussy Riot: Riot Days review – it's impossible to look away|last=Hutchinson|first=Kate|date=2018-08-19|work=The Observer|access-date=2020-01-25|language=en-GB|issn=0029-7712|archive-date=January 25, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200125224900/https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2018/aug/19/pussy-riot-riot-days-review-edinburgh-summerhall-maria-alyokhina|url-status=live}}

During the 2018 FIFA World Cup Final, members identifying with the group invaded the pitch wearing police uniforms to protest wrongful arrests. They were Verzilov, economics student Veronika Nikulshina, journalist Olga Kurachyova and Olga Pakhtusova.

During the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Maria Alyokhina and Lucy Shtein, who are in a relationship, were able to escape house arrest in Russia, and each of them fled the country disguised as delivery drivers, a month apart, to Lithuania.{{cite web | last=Morris-Grant | first=Brianna | title=Moscow court places Pussy Riot member Lucy Shtein on international wanted list, almost two years after she fled Russia | website=ABC News (Australia) | date=8 November 2023 | url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-11-07/pussy-riot-russia-escape-wanted-list/103076090 | access-date=8 November 2023}} They were proposed for fast-track citizenship in Iceland by parliament decree in May 2023.[https://www.newser.com/story/335091/pussy-riot-members-are-becoming-citizens-of-iceland.html "Iceland Is granting citizenship to Pussy Riot members"], 10 May 2023 Shtein was later sentenced in absentia to six years in prison for her online anti-war posts.{{cite news |title=Pussy Riot Member Gets 6 Years In Absentia |url=https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-pussy-riot-member-shtein-six-years-prison-absentia/32879773.html |access-date=23 April 2024 |work=RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty |date=27 March 2024 |language=en}}

File:Pussy Riot performing at Texas Capitol.jpg in 2021]]

In an interview with Gazeta.ru, a band member described their two-minute concerts as performance art, creating images of "pure protest, saying: super heroes in balaclavas and acid bright tights seize public space in Moscow." Another band member, who went by the pseudonym Garadzha, told the Moskovskiye Novosti newspaper that the group was open to women recruits with limited musical talents. She said: "You don't have to sing very well. It's punk. You just scream a lot."{{cite web |url=https://blogs.voanews.com/russia-watch/2012/03/19/ |title=Moscow Grrl Band Sets Kremlin's Teeth on Edge |author=James Brooke |date=March 19, 2012 |website=Voice of America |publisher=Voice of America |archive-date=November 2, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121102230808/http://blogs.voanews.com/russia-watch/2012/03/19/ |access-date=October 27, 2012 |url-status=dead }}

The group cited British punk rock and oi! bands Angelic Upstarts, Cockney Rejects, Sham 69 and The 4-Skins as their main musical influences.{{cite news |url=https://fifi.voima.fi/blogikirjoitus/2012/maaliskuu/pimppimellakka-omin-sanoin |title=Pimppimellakka omin sanoin |date=March 26, 2012 |author=Veli Itäläinen |newspaper=Fifi, Voima |language=fi |access-date=August 8, 2012 |archive-date=March 22, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130322121127/http://fifi.voima.fi/blogikirjoitus/2012/maaliskuu/pimppimellakka-omin-sanoin |url-status=dead }} The band also cited American punk rock band Bikini Kill, performance artist Karen Finley and the riot grrrl movement of the 1990s as inspirations. They stated:{{cite news |url=https://sptimes.ru/index.php?action_id=2&story_id=35092 |title=Female Fury |volume=1693 |date=February 1, 2012 |author=Sergey Chernov |newspaper=The St. Petersburg Times |issue=4 |access-date=August 8, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120823085551/http://sptimes.ru/index.php?action_id=2&story_id=35092 |archive-date=August 23, 2012 |url-status=dead }}

{{quote|text=What we have in common is impudence, politically loaded lyrics, the importance of feminist discourse and a non-standard female image. The difference is that Bikini Kill performed at specific music venues, while we hold unsanctioned concerts. On the whole, Riot Grrrl was closely linked to Western cultural institutions, whose equivalents don't exist in Russia.}}

Pussy Riot used situationist-style guerrilla performances.{{cite web |url=https://gawker.com/5930925/the-know+nothings-guide-to-pussy-riot-the-realest-punks-alive |title=The Know-Nothing's Guide to Pussy Riot, the Realest Punks Alive |author=Max Read |date=August 2, 2012 |website=Gawker.com |archive-date=October 28, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121028015922/http://gawker.com/5930925/the-know+nothings-guide-to-pussy-riot-the-realest-punks-alive |access-date=October 27, 2012 |url-status=dead |author-link=Max Read }} Tolokonnikova stated:

Pussy Riot's performances can either be called dissident art or political action that engages art forms. Either way, our performances are a kind of civic activity amidst the repressions of a corporate political system that directs its power against basic human rights and civil and political liberties.{{cite news |url=https://nplusonemag.com/pussy-riot-closing-statements |title=Pussy Riot trial closing statements |journal=N+1 Magazine |date=August 13, 2012 |access-date=October 27, 2012 |archive-date=November 3, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121103032648/http://nplusonemag.com/pussy-riot-closing-statements |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }}

Costumes usually consisted of brightly colored dresses and tights, even in bitterly cold weather, with faces hidden by balaclavas. During interviews, band members used nicknames such as "Balaclava", "Cat", "Seraph", "Terminator", and "Blondie".{{cite web |url=https://www.npr.org/2012/02/08/146581790/in-russia-punk-rock-riot-girls-rage-against-putin |title=In Russia, Punk-Rock Riot Girls Rage Against Putin |date=February 8, 2012 |author=Corey Flintoff |website=npr.org |publisher=NPR |access-date=February 10, 2012 |archive-date=December 2, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121202211743/http://www.npr.org/2012/02/08/146581790/in-russia-punk-rock-riot-girls-rage-against-putin |url-status=live |author-link=Corey Flintoff }}

In an email interview with The St. Petersburg Times, the group explained their political positions further, saying that members' perspectives ranged from anarchist to liberal left, but that all were united by feminism, anti-authoritarianism and opposition to Putin, whom members regard as continuing the "aggressive imperial politics" of the Soviet Union. Group concerns include education, health care, and the centralization of power, and the group supports regional autonomy and grass-roots organizing. Members regard unsanctioned rallies as a core principle, saying that authorities do not see rallies that they have sanctioned as a threat and simply ignore them. For this reason, all of Pussy Riot's performances were illegal and used co-opted public space. Interviewed by the BBC during rehearsals the day before the Cathedral of Christ the Savior performance, band members argued that only vivid, illegal actions brought media attention.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/russian/multimedia/2012/02/120222_pussy_riot_interview.shtml |title=Феминист-панки Pussy Riot: о чем и зачем? |website=BBC |date=February 22, 2012 |access-date=October 13, 2013 |archive-date=March 2, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120302010341/https://www.bbc.co.uk/russian/multimedia/2012/02/120222_pussy_riot_interview.shtml |url-status=live }} In an interview with Slate in the spring of 2018 during the band's first North American tour, Tolokonnikova stated that economic inequality "is a big issue for Pussy Riot", highlighting that such inequality was a notable feature of both Russian and American society, and that discussion of inequality was absent from mainstream political discourse in both the US and Europe.{{cite web |url=https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/05/pussy-riots-nadezhda-tolokonnikova-on-trans-rights-trump-and-the-activist-messiah-complex.html |title=I Think Trump Could Be Useful |last=Cauterucci |first=Christina |date=May 25, 2018 |website=Slate |access-date=May 25, 2018 |archive-date=May 25, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180525193310/https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/05/pussy-riots-nadezhda-tolokonnikova-on-trans-rights-trump-and-the-activist-messiah-complex.html |url-status=live }}

The group was organized in part due to anger over what members saw as government policies that discriminated against women, citing legislation that "placed restrictions on legal abortions". According to Tolokonnikova, Pussy Riot was "part of the global anti-capitalist movement, which consists of anarchists, Trotskyists, feminists and autonomists."{{cite news |url=https://www.spiegel.de/international/world/spiegel-interview-with-pussy-riot-activist-nadezhda-tolokonnikova-a-853546.html |title=Interview with Pussy Riot Leader: I Love Russia, But I Hate Putin |work=Der Spiegel |date=September 3, 2012 |access-date=October 27, 2012 |archive-date=October 30, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121030181732/http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/spiegel-interview-with-pussy-riot-activist-nadezhda-tolokonnikova-a-853546.html |url-status=live }} For Pussy Riot, their music, politics, and performances stand in solidarity with other leftist freedom movements.

In a February 2012 interview with Vice magazine, Pussy Riot member "Serafima" named her major feminist influences as Simone de Beauvoir, Andrea Dworkin, Emmeline Pankhurst, Shulamith Firestone, Kate Millett, Rosi Braidotti and Judith Butler.

Pussy Riot saw themselves as feminist artists who were influenced by the riot grrrl movement and musical groups such as Bikini Kill, Oi!, Cockney Rejects and by writers, activists and artists like Alexandra Kollontai, Judith Butler, Karen Finley, Simone de Beauvoir and Vladimir Bukovsky.{{cite magazine|last=Remnick|first=David|title=Pussy Riot Heads For Brooklyn|url=https://newyorker.com/online/blogs/newsdesk/2014/02/pussy-riot-heads-for-brooklyn.html|magazine=The New Yorker|access-date=April 27, 2014|archive-date=April 7, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140407013952/https://www.newyorker.com/online/blogs/newsdesk/2014/02/pussy-riot-heads-for-brooklyn.html|url-status=live}}{{cite web|last=Penny|first=Laurie|title=Pussy Riot: "People fear us because we're feminists"|url=https://www.newstatesman.com/politics/2013/06/pussy-riot-people-fear-us-because-were-feminists|work=New Statesman|date=June 22, 2013 |access-date=April 25, 2014|archive-date=March 26, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140326223751/https://www.newstatesman.com/politics/2013/06/pussy-riot-people-fear-us-because-were-feminists|url-status=live}} The media tended to overlook the meaning behind Pussy Riot's feminism; the cultural context of it was vastly different from that of Western feminism. According to Elianna Kan in the American Reader, Pussy Riot's feminism focused on the repression of authoritarian regimes that created idealised ideas of sexism, sex and family life.{{cite web|last=Kan|first=Elianna|title=Pussy Riot: What Was Lost (and Ignored) in Translation|url=https://theamericanreader.com/pussy-riot-what-was-lost-and-ignored-in-translation/|work=The American Reader|access-date=April 24, 2014|archive-date=April 29, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140429075914/https://theamericanreader.com/pussy-riot-what-was-lost-and-ignored-in-translation/|url-status=live}} Pussy Riot strove to make it clear that feminism in Russia was still an issue and that post-feminism had not been achieved.{{cite web|last=Moeschen|first=Sheila|title=Pussy Riot Proves We Are Not Having a Post-Feminist Moment|url=https://huffingtonpost.com/sheila-moeschen/pussy-riot-proves-we-are-not-having-a-post-feminist-moment_b_4832117.html|work=Huffington Post|date=February 21, 2014|access-date=April 27, 2014|archive-date=April 29, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140429075734/https://www.huffingtonpost.com/sheila-moeschen/pussy-riot-proves-we-are-not-having-a-post-feminist-moment_b_4832117.html|url-status=live}}

The Russian cultural context had to be acknowledged and its feminist notions had to be seen differently from those of Western feminism because in places such as the United States, feminism evolved to general "women's issues", whereas in Russia that was not the case.

In Russia feminism was seen as something "that could destroy Russia", as said by Kirill, the head of the Russian Orthodox Church.{{cite web|last=Elder|first=Miriam|title=Feminism could destroy Russia, Russian Orthodox patriarch claims|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/apr/09/feminism-destroy-russia-patriarch-kirill?INTCMP=ILCNETTXT3487|work=The Guardian|date=April 9, 2013|access-date=April 25, 2014|archive-date=April 29, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140429080444/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/apr/09/feminism-destroy-russia-patriarch-kirill?INTCMP=ILCNETTXT3487|url-status=live}}

Pussy Riot members were outspoken in their support of LGBTQ rights, and in a 2012 interview confirmed that the group included at least one member of a sexual minority.{{cite web |url=https://publicpost.ru/blog/id/1284 |title=Интервью с Pussy Riot |author=Lidiya Glazko |date=November 18, 2011 |website=publicpost.ru |location=Moscow |language=ru |trans-title=Interview with Pussy Riot |access-date=October 31, 2012 |archive-date=October 25, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121025141950/http://publicpost.ru/blog/id/1284/ |url-status=dead }} Both Tolokonnikova and Samutsevich participated in the banned 2011 Moscow Gay Pride rally in Moscow, and were briefly detained after the rally was broken up by police.{{cite web |url=https://kontury.info/publ/obshhestvo/kognitivnyj_terrorizm_na_moskovskom_gej_prajde/1-1-0-8 |script-title=ru:B0Когнитивный терроризм" на московском гей-прайде |author=Nadezhda Tolokonnikova |date=May 30, 2011 |website=kontury.info |publisher=Kontury |location=Moscow |language=ru |trans-title=Cognitive Terrorism at the Moscow Gay Pride |access-date=October 31, 2012 |archive-date=April 2, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120402210635/http://kontury.info/publ/obshhestvo/kognitivnyj_terrorizm_na_moskovskom_gej_prajde/1-1-0-8 |url-status=live }} In a 2018 interview Tolokonnikova spoke about the importance of transgender rights to the band, explaining that she rejected gender essentialism and stating that "we believe you don't actually have to have a vagina or clitoris to be a woman, and having a clitoris doesn't necessarily make you a woman... We are always saying that anybody can be in Pussy Riot, and we really mean it". For Pussy Riot, Putin upkeeps the status quo of LGBT persecution and in Russian political life.{{Cite news |last=Williams |first=Zoe |year=2022 |title=I was arrested 100 times': Pussy Riot's Maria Alyokhina on Putin, prison and beatings |newspaper=The Irish Times}}

Pussy Riot released seven songs and five videos. An Associated Press reporter described them as "badly recorded, based on simple riffs and scream-like singing" and stated that critics had dismissed them as "amateur, provocative and obscene".{{cite news |url=https://www.dailytribune.com/article/20120818/NEWS05/120819465/a-guide-to-pussy-riot-s-oeuvre |title=A guide to Pussy Riot's oeuvre |author=Mansur Mirovalev |date=August 20, 2012 |work=Daily Tribune |agency=Associated Press |archive-date=August 22, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120822231711/http://www.dailytribune.com/article/20120818/NEWS05/120819465/a-guide-to-pussy-riot-s-oeuvre |access-date=August 20, 2012 |url-status=live }} The A.V. Club described them as an "excellent band" with "fuzzed-out guitars and classic Riot Grrrl chants".{{cite web |url=https://avclub.com/articles/this-weeks-most-talkedabout-tracks-come-from-pussy%2C83355/ |title=This week's most talked-about tracks come from Pussy Riot and Animal Collective |author=Marah Eakin |date=August 3, 2012 |work=A.V. Club |archive-date=October 31, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121031051457/http://www.avclub.com/articles/this-weeks-most-talkedabout-tracks-come-from-pussy%2C83355/ |access-date=August 23, 2012 |url-status=dead }} In an opinion piece for The New York Times, Pitchfork Media reviewer Michael Idov wrote, "judging [Pussy Riot] on artistic merit would be like chiding the Yippies because Pigasus the Immortal, the pig they ran for president in 1968, was not a viable candidate."{{cite news |author=Michael Idov |title=Putin v. the Punk Rockers |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/08/07/opinion/on-trial-putin-v-pussy-riot.html |access-date=August 21, 2012 |newspaper=The New York Times |date=August 7, 2012 |archive-date=June 21, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130621214753/http://www.nytimes.com/2012/08/07/opinion/on-trial-putin-v-pussy-riot.html?_r=0 |url-status=live }}

Pussy Riot have not released any conventional albums. However, their songs are freely available for download on a number of Internet sites, collected together under the title Ubey seksista ("Kill the sexist").{{cite web |url=https://louderthanwar.com/pussy-riot-kill-sexist-album-review |title=Pussy Riot – Kill the Sexist – album review |date=August 6, 2012 |website=Louder Than War |access-date=October 28, 2012 |archive-date=November 27, 2012 |author=Ged Babey |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121127143148/http://louderthanwar.com/pussy-riot-kill-sexist-album-review/ |url-status=live }}

On January 31, 2018, Pussy Riot announced their first North American tour.{{Cite news|url=https://consequence.net/2018/01/pussy-riot-announce-first-ever-north-american-tour/|title=Pussy Riot announce first-ever North American tour|last=Schatz|first=Lake|date=January 31, 2018|newspaper=Consequence|access-date=March 8, 2018|archive-date=March 6, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180306181934/https://consequence.net/2018/01/pussy-riot-announce-first-ever-north-american-tour/|url-status=live}}

The music video My Sex by Brooke Candy feat. Mykki Blanco, MNDR & Pussy Riot was nominated for Best Animation at the Berlin Music Video Awards 2019.{{Cite web|last=Berlin Music Video Awards|date=20 May 2021|title=Nominees 2019|url=https://www.berlinmva.com/nominees-2019/|website=www.berlinmva.com|access-date=May 20, 2021|archive-date=April 22, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210422152037/https://www.berlinmva.com/nominees-2019/|url-status=live}}

In 2021, Pussy Riot's music video for Panic Attack received a nomination at the Berlin Music Video Awards for Best Experimental. The director behind this music video is Asad J. Malik.{{Cite web|last=Berlin Music Video Awards|date=20 May 2021|title=Nominees 2021|url=https://www.berlinmva.com/2021-nominees-full/|website=www.berlinmva.com|access-date=May 20, 2021|archive-date=April 5, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210405103040/https://www.berlinmva.com/2021-nominees-full/|url-status=dead}}

On 5 August 2022, Pussy Riot's Matriarchy Now mixtape, was released.{{cite news |last1=Safronova |first1=Valeriya |title=A Party Crawl With Pussy Riot's Nadya Tolokonnikova |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/06/30/style/nadya-tolokonnikova-pussy-riot-cryptocurrency.html |access-date=3 October 2022 |work=The New York Times |date=30 June 2022}}{{cite news |last1=Aswad |first1=Jem |title=Sarah Silverman, Big Freedia to Join Pussy Riot's Los Angeles Concert on Wednesday (EXCLUSIVE) |url=https://variety.com/2022/music/news/sarah-silverman-big-freedia-pussy-riot-1235336049/ |access-date=3 October 2022 |work=Variety |date=8 August 2022}}{{cite web |title=OUT TODAY: RUSSIA'S PVSSY RIOT RELEASE DEBUT MIXTAPE MATRIARCHY NOW ON NEON GOLD RECORDS |url=https://www.pressparty.com/pg/newsdesk/GoldAtlas/view/297089/ |website=Pressparty |language=en |date=5 August 2022|access-date=3 October 2022}}

On October 1, 2011, Tolokonnikova and Samutsevich gave a lecture on "punk feminism" as members of Voina. They played a recording of the song "Ubey seksista" ("Kill the Sexist"), billing the performers as "a new Russian punk band called Pussy Riot".{{cite web |url=https://artprotest.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=4412&chtoto=2012-05-05-10-56-18&catid=1&catpresledru=&ordering2=1&Itemid=4 |script-title=ru:Пусси Райот, панк-группа |trans-title=Pussy Riot, a punk band |date=October 1, 2011 |author=Anna Brazhkina |website=artprotest.org |access-date=September 18, 2012 |archive-date=April 30, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150430165605/http://artprotest.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=4412&chtoto=2012-05-05-10-56-18&catid=1&catpresledru=&ordering2=1&Itemid=4 |url-status=live |language=ru }} This track featured extensive sampling of the Cockney Rejects' 1979 recording "I'm Not a Fool".

Their first public performance as members of Pussy Riot was in November 2011. Several masked women performed "Osvobodi Bruschatku" ("Release the Cobblestones") atop a scaffold in a Moscow subway and from the top of trolley cars, while tearing apart down feather pillows, showering feathers onto the train platform below. The song recommended that Russians protest upcoming parliamentary elections by throwing cobblestones during street clashes. "Your ballots will be used as toilet paper by the Presidential Administration", the group said on its blog. Their first video was uploaded to YouTube on November 6.{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qEiB1RYuYXw |title=Девчонки из Pussy Riot захватывают транспорт ("Girls from Pussy Riot occupy vehicles") |date=November 6, 2011 |language=ru |website=YouTube |archive-date=November 22, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121122173230/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qEiB1RYuYXw |access-date=October 27, 2012 |url-status=live }} The musical track once again used extensive sampling, this time from the Angelic Upstarts' 1978 recording "Police Oppression".{{cite news |title=Wie viel Punk steckt in Pussy Riot? (How much punk is there in Pussy Riot?) |author=Matthias Meindl |url=https://www.taz.de/!99780/ |newspaper=Die Tageszeitung |archive-date=October 21, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121021084817/http://www.taz.de/!99780/ |date=August 17, 2012 |language=de |url-status=live }} The video of the performance quickly went viral and generated a flurry of interest from the Russian press.{{cite book|last=Gessen|first=Masha|title=Words Will Break Cement: The Passion of Pussy Riot|year=2014|publisher=Riverhead Books|isbn=978-1-59463-219-8|page=73}}

Later that month the group re-emerged, with several members playing "Kropotkin Vodka" on the roof of an automobile display unit in a luxury-store district and in the windows of fashion boutiques, while another member discharged a fire extinguisher into the air. The song took its title from Russian anarcho-communist Peter Kropotkin, and metaphorically concerned the assassination of "Kremlin bastards" by fatal poisoning.{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CZUhkWiiv7M |title=Группа Pussy Riot жжет путинский гламур ("Pussy Riot burns fashion") |language=ru |date=November 30, 2011 |website=YouTube |archive-date=October 25, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121025032906/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CZUhkWiiv7M |access-date=October 27, 2012 |url-status=live }}

On December 14, 2011, the group performed atop a garage beside the Moscow Detention Center No. 1 prison, where opposition activists were being held among the prisoners. Political activists Alexey Navalny and Ilya Yashin had been arrested one week earlier at a mass protest against the results of the State Duma elections.{{cite web |url=https://www.gazeta.ru/politics/elections2011/2011/12/10_a_3922210.shtml |title=Властям дали две недели: В Москве десятки тысяч вышли на оппозиционный митинг (Politicians given two weeks: tens of thousands attend Moscow opposition rally) |website=Gazeta.ru |access-date=November 2, 2012 |date=December 12, 2011 |archive-date=May 5, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120505222335/http://www.gazeta.ru/politics/elections2011/2011/12/10_a_3922210.shtml |url-status=live }} Pussy Riot played their song "Smert tyurme, svobodu protestu" ("Death To Prison, Freedom To Protests"), a pun on the Yugoslav Partisan World War II slogan "Death to fascism, freedom to the people", and were applauded by the prisoners watching from inside the bars of the jail cell windows.{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mmyZbJpYV0I&feature=plcp |title=PUSSY RIOT поют политзекам на крыше тюрьмы ("Pussy Riot sings to political prisoners from the roof of the prison") |date=December 14, 2011 |website=YouTube |archive-date=September 21, 2012 |language=ru |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120921110743/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mmyZbJpYV0I&feature=plcp |access-date=October 27, 2012 |url-status=live }}

File:Pussy Riot at Lobnoye Mesto on Red Square in Moscow - Denis Bochkarev.jpg in Red Square, on January 20, 2012]]

On January 20, 2012, in what the Associated Press described as their "breakthrough performance", eight members of the group performed a song on the Lobnoye Mesto in Red Square, entitled "Putin Zassal". The title was variously translated by English language media as "Putin has Pissed Himself",{{cite news |title=Russian female punk band arrested for performing anti-Vladimir Putin song |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/russia/9028106/Russian-all-girl-punk-band-Pussy-Riot-arrested-for-performing-Vladimir-Putin-song.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120120210853/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/russia/9028106/Russian-all-girl-punk-band-Pussy-Riot-arrested-for-performing-Vladimir-Putin-song.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=January 20, 2012 |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |location=London |date=January 20, 2012 |access-date=November 15, 2012}} "Putin Chickened Out", "Putin Got Scared" and "Putin is Wetting Himself".{{cite news |title=Battle of the balaclavas: the young feminists taking on Putin |author=Lindsey Hilsum |url=https://blogs.channel4.com/world-news-blog/battle-of-the-balaclavas-the-young-feminists-taking-on-putin/20346 |website=Channel 4 blogs |publisher=Channel 4 |location=London |date=February 18, 2012 |access-date=November 15, 2012 |archive-date=November 2, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121102154820/http://blogs.channel4.com/world-news-blog/battle-of-the-balaclavas-the-young-feminists-taking-on-putin/20346 |url-status=dead }} The song called for a popular revolt against the Russian government and an occupation of Red Square. According to a Pussy Riot member identified as "Shayba", the song was inspired by the events of December 24, 2011, during which approximately 100,000 people attended anti-Putin rallies in central Moscow. She told the Financial Times: "We saw how troops were moving around Moscow, there were helicopters in the sky, the military was put on alert. The regime just wet its pants on that day. And the symbol of the regime is Putin."{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7kVMADLm3js&feature=plcp |title=Pussy Riot на Красной площади - песня "Путин зассал" ("Pussy Riot on Red Square – the song 'Putin Pissed Himself'") |date=January 20, 2012 |website=YouTube |archive-date=September 21, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120921101844/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7kVMADLm3js&feature=plcp |access-date=October 27, 2012 |language=ru |url-status=live }} During the performance a member ignited a smoke bomb, which led to Pussy Riot members being arrested and briefly detained on administrative charges, a Russian legal term similar to a summary offence or misdemeanor. A judge found two members of the group, Galkina and Schebleva, "guilty under article 20.2 of the Administrative Code (violation of the rules for conducting rallies and pickets) and imposed a fine of 500 rubles on each."{{cite news |title=Pussy Riot fined for Red Square performance |author=Nathan Toohey |url=https://themoscownews.com/local/20120124/189394688.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120511062907/https://themoscownews.com/local/20120124/189394688.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=May 11, 2012 |work=The Moscow News |location=Moscow |date=January 24, 2012 }}

File:Cathedral of Christ the Saviour in Moscow 04.JPG]]

On February 21, 2012, as part of a protest movement against the re-election of Vladimir Putin, five women from the group entered the Cathedral of Christ the Savior of the Russian Orthodox Church in Moscow. There was no church service in session at the time, and only a few people were in the cathedral.{{cite magazine |url=https://newyorker.com/online/blogs/newsdesk/2012/08/the-absurd-and-outrageous-trial-of-pussy-riot.html |title=The Absurd and Outrageous Trial of Pussy Riot |author=Masha Lipman |date=August 7, 2012 |magazine=The New Yorker |access-date=November 3, 2012 |archive-date=October 26, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121026114641/http://www.newyorker.com/online/blogs/newsdesk/2012/08/the-absurd-and-outrageous-trial-of-pussy-riot.html |url-status=live }} Removing their winter clothes, they put on colorful balaclavas, ran up the steps leading to the altar, and began to jump, kick, and throw air punches.{{cite magazine |url=https://www.tnr.com/article/politics/105846/how-punk-rock-show-trial-became-russias-greatest-gonzo-artwork# |title=Pussy Riot v. Putin: A Front Row Seat at a Russian Dark Comedy |author=Julia Ioffe |date=October 27, 2012 |magazine=The National Review |archive-date=October 28, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121028033650/http://www.tnr.com/article/politics/105846/how-punk-rock-show-trial-became-russias-greatest-gonzo-artwork |access-date=October 27, 2012 |url-status=live }} After less than a minute, they were escorted outside the building by guards.{{cite web |author=Nataliya Vasilyeva |title=Prosecutors ask for 3 years for anti-Putin rockers |url=https://www.businessweek.com/ap/2012-08-07/russian-prosecutors-ask-for-3-years-in-punk-case |access-date=August 17, 2012 |work=Bloomberg BusinessWeek |date=August 7, 2012 |archive-date=September 23, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923224019/https://www.businessweek.com/ap/2012-08-07/russian-prosecutors-ask-for-3-years-in-punk-case |url-status=dead }} Film of the performance was later combined with footage shot at a different church,{{cite web |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10000872396390444375104577594790007246410 |title=Russian Band Is Found Guilty in Putin Protest |author=Richard Boudreaux and Alexander Kolyandr |date=August 17, 2012 |work=The Wall Street Journal |access-date=November 2, 2012 |archive-date=November 12, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121112214320/http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10000872396390444375104577594790007246410.html |url-status=live }} identified by Russian Orthodox Church spokesman Vsevolod Chaplin as the Epiphany Cathedral in Yelokhovo,{{cite web |url=https://www.interfax-religion.com/?act=news&div=9161 |title=Pussy Riot gave a "concert" in Yelokhovo Cathedral two days before their action in the Cathedral of Christ the Savior |date=March 19, 2012 |work=Interfax Religion |access-date=November 2, 2012 |archive-date=November 4, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131104221416/http://www.interfax-religion.com/?act=news&div=9161 |url-status=live }} to create a video clip for the song, which they entitled "Punk Prayer: Mother of God Drive Putin Away".{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GCasuaAczKY |title=Панк-молебен "Богородица, Путина прогони" Pussy Riot в Храме |trans-title=Punk Prayer 'Mother of God, Chase Putin Away', Pussy Riot in the Cathedral |language=ru |date=February 21, 2012 |website=YouTube |archive-date=October 27, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121027211417/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GCasuaAczKY |access-date=October 27, 2012 |url-status=live }}

The song, which they described as a punk moleben (supplicatory prayer), borrowed its opening melody and refrain from Sergei Rachmaninoff's "Bogoroditse Devo, Raduisya" (Ave Maria), from the All Night Vigil.{{cite web |url=https://www.pen.org/viewmedia.php/prmMID/6572/prmID/1610 |title=Pussy Riot's punk moleben – Virgin Mary Put Putin Away |date=May 24, 2012 |work=PEN |publisher=PEN American Center |location=New York City |access-date=November 9, 2012 |archive-date=November 9, 2012 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20121109122124/http://www.pen.org/viewmedia.php/prmMID/6572/prmID/1610 |url-status=dead }} In the song, they invoked the name of the Virgin Mary, urging her to get rid of Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin and to "become a feminist", claiming that she would support them in their protests. They alluded to close ties between the church and the KGB ("Black robes, golden epaulettes"), criticized the subservience of many Russians to the church ("Parishioners crawl bowing") and attacked the church's traditionalist views on women ("So as not to offend His Holiness, women must bear children and love"). They used the crude epithet "Sran Gospodnya", which has been used to translate "holy shit" in Hollywood movies, but is rarely used in idiomatic Russian; it literally translates as "shit of the Lord". They later explained "It is an idiomatic expression, related to the previous verse – about the fusion of Moscow patriarchy and the government. 'Holy shit' is our evaluation of the situation in the country." They referred to Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill I, as a "suka" (bitch) and accused him of believing more in Putin than in God.{{cite magazine |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/pussy-riot-trial-nears-verdict-in-moscow-20120807 |title=Pussy Riot Trial Nears Verdict in Moscow |magazine=Rolling Stone |date=August 7, 2012 |access-date=October 28, 2012 |archive-date=December 7, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121207083222/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/pussy-riot-trial-nears-verdict-in-moscow-20120807 |url-status=live }}{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/books/2012/aug/20/pussy-riot-punk-prayer-lyrics |title=Pussy Riot's Punk Prayer is pure protest poetry |author=Carol Rumen |work=The Guardian |date=August 20, 2012 |access-date=October 27, 2012 |archive-date=November 7, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121107121132/http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2012/aug/20/pussy-riot-punk-prayer-lyrics |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2012/11/what-pussy-riots-punk-prayer-really-said/264562 |title=What Pussy Riot's 'Punk Prayer' Really Said |date=November 8, 2012 |work=The Atlantic |location=Washington, D.C. |access-date=November 9, 2012 |archive-date=November 10, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121110223516/http://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2012/11/what-pussy-riots-punk-prayer-really-said/264562/ |url-status=live }}

Pussy Riot released a single in August 2012 as the court case against three of their members drew to a close.{{cite news |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/entertainment/news/article.cfm?c_id=1501119&objectid=10828092 |title=Jailed rockers Pussy Riot release new protest song |work=The New Zealand Herald |date=August 20, 2012 |archive-date=November 7, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121107211109/http://www.nzherald.co.nz/entertainment/news/article.cfm?c_id=1501119&objectid=10828092 |access-date=August 12, 2012 |url-status=live }} It was called "Putin zazhigayet kostry" ("Putin Lights Up The Fires"),{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VxvQh02KRcw&feature=plcp |title=Pussy Riot сингл для приговора - "Путин зажигает костры" ("With the Pussy Riot sentence, Putin lights up the fires") |language=ru |date=August 17, 2012 |website=YouTube |archive-date=September 21, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120921102406/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VxvQh02KRcw&feature=plcp |access-date=October 27, 2012 |url-status=live }} and its lyrics addressed issues related to the case. Among other statements, they suggested that "seven years [imprisonment] are not enough, give us eighteen!"{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2012/aug/20/pussy-riot-new-single-lyrics |title=Pussy Riot's new single: Putin Lights Up the Fires |work=The Guardian |archive-date=August 31, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120831183638/http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2012/aug/20/pussy-riot-new-single-lyrics |date=August 20, 2012 |access-date=August 12, 2012 |url-status=live }}

Pussy Riot released their first song and video in English in February 2015.{{cite news|last1=Scott|first1=Simon|title=Pussy Riot Releases Its First Song in English|url=https://www.npr.org/2015/02/21/387985147/pussy-riot-releases-its-first-song-in-english|access-date=January 28, 2017|date=February 18, 2015|archive-date=February 2, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202053253/https://www.npr.org/2015/02/21/387985147/pussy-riot-releases-its-first-song-in-english|url-status=live}} "[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dXctA2BqF9A I Can't Breathe]" is named for the last words that Eric Garner said as New York City Police held him to the ground in a chokehold. In their music video for this song, band members wear Russian riot police uniforms and are slowly buried alive as they sing. They wear these specific uniforms because they are worn by Russian police during clashes between police and protesters for change, and to make the statement that illegal violence not only kills the oppressed, but slowly kills the oppressors. According to Alyokhina and Tolokonnikova, "Policemen, soldiers, agents, they become hostages and are buried with those they kill, both figuratively and literally".{{cite news|last1=Ohlheiser|first1=Abby|title='I Can't Breathe': Pussy Riot's first song in English is about Eric Garner|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/arts-and-entertainment/wp/2015/02/18/i-cant-breathe-pussy-riots-first-song-in-english-is-about-eric-garner/|access-date=January 28, 2017|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=February 18, 2015|archive-date=August 10, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160810100911/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/arts-and-entertainment/wp/2015/02/18/i-cant-breathe-pussy-riots-first-song-in-english-is-about-eric-garner/|url-status=live}} The symbolism behind the "Russian Spring" brand cigarettes in the video is that the brand name is the same phrase used by supporters of Russia's war with Ukraine. Pussy Riot was responsible for concept and production of the video, while vocals and lyrics were performed by two other Russian bands, Jack Wood and Scofferlane. With this song, Alyokhina and Tolokonnikova begin to show the parallels between police brutality and state oppression in Russia and the United States.{{cite news|last1=Simon|first1=Scott|title=Pussy Riot Releases Its First Song in English|url=https://www.npr.org/2015/02/21/387985147/pussy-riot-releases-its-first-song-in-english|access-date=January 28, 2017|work=National Public Radio|date=February 15, 2015|archive-date=February 2, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202053253/https://www.npr.org/2015/02/21/387985147/pussy-riot-releases-its-first-song-in-english|url-status=live}}

On 2015 the Anti-Corruption Foundation released Chaika about Yury Chaika and his family. On February 3, 2016 Pussy Riot released a satirical music video titled Chaika, alluding to Navalny's findings.[http://www.dw.com/en/pussy-riot-is-back-in-high-heels-to-tackle-corruption/a-19026433 Pussy Riot is back in high heels to tackle corruption] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170327072845/http://www.dw.com/en/pussy-riot-is-back-in-high-heels-to-tackle-corruption/a-19026433 |date=March 27, 2017 }}, Deutsche Welle, February 4, 2016.[https://www.dw.com/en/pussy-riot-is-back-in-high-heels-to-tackle-corruption/a-19026433 Pussy Riot is back in high heels to tackle corruption] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170327072845/https://www.dw.com/en/pussy-riot-is-back-in-high-heels-to-tackle-corruption/a-19026433 |date=March 27, 2017 }}, Deutsche Welle, February 4, 2016.

In response to Donald Trump's candidacy, Pussy Riot released the song and video "Make America Great Again" in October 2016.{{cite magazine|last1=Leight|first1=Elias|title=Pussy Riot Slam Trump in 'Make America Great Again' Video|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/pussy-riot-slam-trump-in-make-america-great-again-video-w447003|access-date=January 28, 2017|magazine=Rolling Stone|date=October 27, 2016|archive-date=February 2, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202070604/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/pussy-riot-slam-trump-in-make-america-great-again-video-w447003|url-status=live}} The video depicts a dystopian world where Trump, played by one of the band members, is the president. Trump enforces his values through beatings, shaming, and branding of victims delivered by stormtroopers. As the thugs torture their victims, Pussy Riot sings the following lyrics: "Let other people in/ Listen to your women/ Stop killing black children/ Make America great again".{{cite magazine|last1=Light|first1=Elias|title=Pussy Riot Slam Donald Trump in 'Make America Great Again' Video|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/pussy-riot-slam-trump-in-make-america-great-again-video-w447003|access-date=January 28, 2017|magazine=Rolling Stone|date=October 27, 2016|archive-date=February 2, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202070604/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/pussy-riot-slam-trump-in-make-america-great-again-video-w447003|url-status=live}}

In March 2018 Pussy Riot, together with TV on the Radio's Dave Sitek, released the single and video "Bad Apples". The song is a statement against corruption in the criminal justice system.{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/hear-pussy-riot-condemn-corruption-on-bad-apples-w517596|title=Hear Pussy Riot, Dave Sitek Condemn Corruption on 'Bad Apples'|last=Leight|first=Elias|date=March 8, 2018|magazine=Rolling Stone|access-date=September 6, 2019|archive-date=March 18, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180318103133/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/hear-pussy-riot-condemn-corruption-on-bad-apples-w517596|url-status=live}}

In December 2019, Pussy Riot, together with Vic Mensa and Junglepussy, released the song "Hangerz". The song was written in response to Alabama's anti-abortion legislation. All proceeds from the song will go towards Planned Parenthood.{{cite magazine |last=Zemler |first=Emily |title=Vic Mensa and Junglepussy Join Pussy Riot on Hard-Hitting ‘Hangerz’: All proceeds from the song will go to Planned Parenthood |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/vic-mensa-junglepussy-pussy-riot-hangerz-923154/ |magazine=Rolling Stone |date=6 December 2019}}

In October 2020, Pussy Riot, along with the Village People, made guest appearances on the Dorian Electra single "My Agenda". Pussy Riot's lyrics in the song encourage rebellion against the Russian gay propaganda law and also make reference to similar anti-gay laws in Uganda. The song was released on Electra's album of the same name.{{cite web |url=https://floodmagazine.com/81900/dorian-electras-my-agenda-feature/ |title=On Their New Album, Dorian Electra's Agenda Is to Make You Think |last=Irvin |first=Jack |website=Flood |date=October 15, 2020 |access-date=October 16, 2020}}

On June 23, 2022, Pussy Riot a made guest appearance on the Kai Whiston single "Q", composed by Nadezhda Tolokonnikova and Kai Whiston.{{cite web |title=Kai Whiston - Q |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/q-mw0003765258 |website=AllMusic |access-date=2 October 2022 |language=en}}{{cite web |title=Kai Whiston - 'Q' (with Pussy Riot) (Official Visual) |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0sTUJ-weJAU |website=youtube |access-date=2 October 2022 |language=en |date=June 24, 2022}}{{cite web |title=Q · Kai Whiston · Pussy Riot |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8QKQaGWh59s |website=youtube |access-date=2 October 2022 |language=en |date=June 23, 2022}}{{cite web |last1=Pappis |first1=Konstantinos |title=Pussy Riot Joins Kai Whiston on New Single 'Q' |url=https://ourculturemag.com/2022/06/24/pussy-riot-joins-kai-whiston-on-new-single-q/ |website=Our Culture |access-date=2 October 2022 |date=24 June 2022}}{{cite web |last1=Olvera |first1=Ernesto |title=Kai Whiston estrenó el sencillo "Q" con la colaboración de Pussy Riot |url=https://filtermexico.com/2022/06/28/kai-whiston-estreno-el-sencillo-q-con-la-colaboracion-de-pussy-riot/ |website=FILTER México |language=es |date=28 June 2022}}

{{main|Pussy Riot 2012 trial}}

On March 3, 2012, two of the group's members, Nadezhda Tolokonnikova and Maria Alyokhina, were arrested and charged with hooliganism related to their performance inside Moscow's Cathedral of Christ the Saviour. A third member, Yekaterina Samutsevich, was arrested on March 16 with the same charges. Denied bail, the three were held in custody until their trial began in late July. On August 17, 2012, Alyokhina, Samutsevich and Tolokonnikova were all convicted of "hooliganism motivated by religious hatred" and each sentenced to two years' imprisonment.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-19297373 |title=Pussy Riot found guilty of hooliganism by Moscow court |date=August 17, 2012 |work=BBC News |access-date=August 17, 2012 |archive-date=September 16, 2012 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120916132840/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-19297373 |url-status=live }}{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2012/aug/17/pussy-riot-sentenced-prison-putin?newsfeed=true |title=Pussy Riot sentenced to two years in prison colony over anti-Putin protest |author=Miriam Elder |work=The Guardian |date=August 17, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120821212012/http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2012/aug/17/pussy-riot-sentenced-prison-putin?newsfeed=true |archive-date=August 21, 2012 |url-status=live }} On October 10, following an appeal, Samutsevich was freed on probation and her sentence suspended. The sentences of the other two women were upheld.{{cite news |title=Pussy Riot member Samutsevich sentence reduced to probation |url=https://www.rapsinews.com/judicial_news/20121010/264941012.html |work=RAPSI News |date=October 10, 2012 |access-date=October 27, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121014001843/http://www.rapsinews.com/judicial_news/20121010/264941012.html |archive-date=October 14, 2012 |url-status=live }}

{{multiple image

| align = center

| footer = The three Pussy Riot members at their trial in Tagansky District Court

| footer_align = center

| caption_align = center

| image1 = Nadezhda Tolokonnikova (Pussy Riot) at the Moscow Tagansky District Court - Denis Bochkarev.jpg

| width1 = 230

| caption1 = Nadezhda Tolokonnikova

| image2 = Yekaterina Samutsevich (Pussy Riot) at the Moscow Tagansky District Court - Denis Bochkarev.jpg

| width2 = 230

| caption2 = Yekaterina Samutsevich

| image3 = Maria Alekhina (Pussy Riot) at the Moscow Tagansky District Court - Denis Bochkarev.jpg

| width3 = 103

| caption3 = Maria Alyokhina

}}

Pussy Riot accused Putin and the Russian Orthodox Church of orchestrating the case.{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2012/aug/27/pussy-riot-interview-yekaterina-samutsevich?newsfeed=true |title=Pussy Riot: 'we still burn with desire to take Putin's monopoly on power' |author=Miriam Elder |date=August 27, 2012 |work=The Guardian |archive-date=August 30, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120830043046/http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/aug/27/pussy-riot-interview-yekaterina-samutsevich?newsfeed=true |access-date=October 29, 2012 |url-status=live }} Samutsevich said "The trial was built in such a way that we couldn't defend ourselves. They didn't listen to us."{{cite web |last=Elder |first=Miriam |title=Pussy Riot: 'Things have changed, but our desire to protest remains' |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2012/dec/26/pussy-riot-protest-interview |work=The Guardian |date=December 26, 2012 |access-date=December 26, 2012 |archive-date=May 30, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140530044159/https://www.theguardian.com/music/2012/dec/26/pussy-riot-protest-interview |url-status=live }} Russian human rights activist Lyudmila Alexeyeva called the judgment politically motivated and "not in line with the law, common sense or mercy".{{cite news |author=Timothy Heritage |title=Pussy Riot members found guilty |url=https://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/World/2012/08/17/20111796.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120916133612/http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/World/2012/08/17/20111796.html |url-status=usurped |archive-date=September 16, 2012 |access-date=August 17, 2012 |newspaper=Cnews |date=August 17, 2012 |author2=Maria Tsvetkova }} According to BBC Monitoring, in the European and American press there was "almost universal condemnation" of the sentence.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-19307077 |title=Press aghast at Pussy Riot verdict |date=August 18, 2012 |work=BBC News |archive-date=January 14, 2013 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130114023231/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-19307077 |access-date=October 29, 2012 |url-status=live }}

In August 2012 Novosibirsk resident Irina Ruzankina filed a claim for 30,000 rubles (about $1,000) for moral damages, claiming that a Pussy Riot video had caused her headaches and increased blood pressure. The claim was rejected by the Kuntsevo District Court in Moscow on September 7, 2012.{{cite web |url=https://kissfmlive.com/court-rejects-civil-suit-against-pussy-riot/ |title=Court Rejects Civil Suit Against Pussy Riot |website=kissfmlive.com |publisher=The Moscow Times (via Kiss FM) |date=September 7, 2012 |access-date=April 30, 2013 |archive-date=November 4, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131104223839/https://kissfmlive.com/court-rejects-civil-suit-against-pussy-riot/ |url-status=live }} Similar claims by Berdsk resident Yuri Zadoy and Novosibirsk resident Ivan Krasnitsky were dismissed by the same court on October 3,{{cite web |url=https://rapsinews.com/judicial_news/20121003/264850443.html |title=Two civil claims against Pussy Riot for moral damages dismissed |website=rapsinews.com |publisher=RAPSI news |date=October 3, 2012 |access-date=April 30, 2013 |archive-date=June 6, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130606033124/https://www.rapsinews.com/judicial_news/20121003/264850443.html |url-status=live }} as was a subsequent appeal by Ruzankina to the Moscow City Court on February 18, 2013.{{cite web |url=https://rapsinews.com/judicial_news/20130219/266453528.html |title=Siberian woman's compensation claim against Pussy Riot tossed out on appeal |website=rapsinews.com |publisher=RAPSI news |date=February 19, 2013 |access-date=April 30, 2013 |archive-date=November 4, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131104222529/https://rapsinews.com/judicial_news/20130219/266453528.html |url-status=live }}

In early November 2012 prosecutors applied under anti-extremism legislation to Zamoskvoretsky District Court to ban several Pussy Riot videos, including the video of the group's performance in the Cathedral of Christ the Savior. Materials found to be extremist by a court are added to the Federal List of Extremist Materials maintained by the Ministry of Justice, potentially making it a criminal offense to disseminate them within Russia.{{cite web |url=https://minjust.ru/ru/extremist-materials |script-title=ru:Федеральный список экстремистских материалов |publisher=Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation |work=Federal List of Extremist Material |date=2007–2012 |access-date=December 24, 2012 |language=ru |archive-date=August 12, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150812001919/https://minjust.ru/ru/extremist-materials |url-status=live }}{{cite news |title=Prosecutors file to declare Pussy Riot video extremist |url=https://rapsinews.com/judicial_news/20121109/265302221.html |agency=RIA Novosti |newspaper=RAPSI News |location=Moscow |date=November 9, 2012 |access-date=November 30, 2012 |archive-date=November 14, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121114230815/https://rapsinews.com/judicial_news/20121109/265302221.html |url-status=live }}

Damir Gainutdinov of the Agora human rights group argued that the anti-extremism laws were being applied inappropriately, saying "Everyone says that the [Cathedral of Christ the Savior] video hurt the feelings of religious people, but it didn't contain any calls for extremist actions, so it cannot be extremist". Yekaterina Samutsevich called the ruling a "direct recognition of artistic censorship" in Russia.{{cite news |title=Russian court issues Pussy Riot video ban |url=https://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/world/russian-court-issues-pussy-riot-video-ban/story-e6frg6so-1226527589707 |agency=Agence France-Presse |newspaper=The Australian |location=Sydney |date=November 30, 2012 |access-date=December 1, 2012 |archive-date=December 3, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121203022926/http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/world/russian-court-issues-pussy-riot-video-ban/story-e6frg6so-1226527589707 |url-status=live}}

In the case of mothers of young children, Russian law allows for deferment of a prison sentence until the child reaches the age of 14. Such a request was controversially granted in 2011 to Anna Shavenkova, who had been sentenced to two years and six months prison for vehicular manslaughter. It was alleged that her request was granted because of her family connections.{{cite news |title=United Russia party member wins right not to start sentence until 2024 |author=Andrew Osborn |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/russia/8499021/United-Russia-party-member-wins-right-not-to-start-sentence-until-2024.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/russia/8499021/United-Russia-party-member-wins-right-not-to-start-sentence-until-2024.html |archive-date=January 12, 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |location=London |date=May 6, 2011 |access-date=April 30, 2013}}{{cbignore}}

On October 19, 2012, the Khamovniki District Court in Moscow rejected an appeal for deferment of sentence filed by Violetta Volkova on behalf of Tolokonnikova and Alyokhina, on the grounds that the case did not fall within its jurisdiction.{{cite news |title=Pussy Riot motion for sentencing delay rejected |url=https://rapsinews.com/judicial_news/20121019/265056203.html |newspaper=RAPSI News |date=October 19, 2012 |access-date=April 30, 2013 |archive-date=November 4, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131104222513/https://rapsinews.com/judicial_news/20121019/265056203.html |url-status=live }} Tolokonnikova subsequently filed an appeal with the Zubovo-Polyansky District Court in Mordovia, where she was imprisoned, and Alyokhina with the Berezniki District Court in Perm. Alyokhina's appeal was rejected on January 16, 2013, the judge stating that the presence of her child was already taken into account during her original sentence.

On July 24, 2013, a Russian court turned down an appeal by Maria Alyokhina against a previous court ruling that denied her an early release on parole.{{cite news |title=Russian Court Rejects Pussy Riot Member Parole Bid |url=https://bigstory.ap.org/article/russian-court-rejects-pussy-riot-member-parole-bid |agency=Associated Press |access-date=July 24, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131014102022/https://bigstory.ap.org/article/russian-court-rejects-pussy-riot-member-parole-bid |archive-date=October 14, 2013 |url-status=live}}

On December 19, 2013, the state Duma approved a general amnesty for various prisoners; among those who qualified for amnesty were those in prison for non-violent offences and mothers of young children. It was expected that Tolokonnikova and Alyokhina would be among those who were released.Korina Lopez, USA Today (December 19, 2013). [https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/music/2013/12/19/pussy-riot-members-freed-from-prison/4123959/ "Pussy Riot members freed from prison".] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170807173925/https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/music/2013/12/19/pussy-riot-members-freed-from-prison/4123959/ |date=August 7, 2017 }} USA Today. Their release was confirmed on December 23, 2013.{{cite web |title=PUSSY RIOT MEMBER RELEASED FROM PRISON |url=https://www.npr.org/2013/12/23/256454941/pussy-riot-member-released-from-prison?ft=1&f=100 |website=npr.org |publisher=NPR |access-date=December 23, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131224102756/https://www.npr.org/2013/12/23/256454941/pussy-riot-member-released-from-prison?ft=1&f=100 |archive-date=December 24, 2013 |url-status=dead }}{{cite web| url =https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-25490067| title =Pussy Riot member Nadezhda Tolokonnikova freed in Russia| work =BBC News| publisher =BBC| date =December 23, 2013| access-date =December 23, 2013| archive-date =December 23, 2013| archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20131223172853/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-25490067| url-status =live}}

Following her release, Alyokhina went to meet with human rights activists.

"We didn't ask for any pardon. I would have sat here until the end of my sentence because I don't need mercy from Putin," Maria Alyokhina told The New York Times after her release.[https://www.nytimes.com/2013/12/24/world/europe/member-of-russian-punk-band-freed-under-amnesty-law.html?hp&_r=1& Released Punk Rockers Keep Up Criticism of Putin] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170701075225/https://www.nytimes.com/2013/12/24/world/europe/member-of-russian-punk-band-freed-under-amnesty-law.html?hp&_r=1& |date=July 1, 2017 }}. The New York Times. December 23, 2013. Retrieved December 23, 2013. "I think this is an attempt to improve the image of the current government, a little, before the Sochi Olympics — particularly for the Western Europeans. But I don't consider this humane or merciful. This is a lie." Tolokonnikova also said, "Whether one likes it or not, going to the Olympics in Russia is an acceptance of the internal political situation in Russia, an acceptance of the course taken by a person who is interested in the Olympics above all else — Vladimir Putin."

The two said that they would not be performing in shows but were starting an organization to work for better conditions for prison inmates and that they still wanted Putin removed from government. Both said that Soviet dissident Vladimir Bukovsky is their role model, a man whom Tolokonnikova said is a "human rights champion undeterred by fear."{{cite news | url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/nadezhda-tolokonnikova-released-pussy-riot-member-slams-putin-1.2476931 | title=Nadezhda Tolokonnikova, released Pussy Riot member, slams Putin: Tolokonnikova says her release was pre-Olympics PR move | work=CBC News | publisher=Canadian Broadcasting Corporation | date=December 27, 2013 | access-date=January 1, 2014 | archive-date=January 1, 2014 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140101041222/https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/nadezhda-tolokonnikova-released-pussy-riot-member-slams-putin-1.2476931 | url-status=live }}

Nadezhda Tolokonnikova (Nadia) and Maria Alyokhina (Masha) participated in the February 6, 2014 Amnesty International concert in Barclays Center, Brooklyn, New York City. They were invited to the stage by Madonna. The same day a group of anonymous participants of the Pussy Riot group who avoided prosecution for their performance published an open letter protesting Tolokonnikova and Alyokhina calling themselves members of Pussy Riot.{{cite web|last=Anonymous|title=Masha Alyokhina and Nadya Tolokonnikova No Longer Members of Pussy Riot|url=https://exclaim.ca/News/masha_alyokhina_nadya_tolokonnikova_no_longer_members_of_pussy_riot|access-date=February 14, 2014|archive-date=February 8, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140208013135/https://exclaim.ca/News/masha_alyokhina_nadya_tolokonnikova_no_longer_members_of_pussy_riot|url-status=live}}{{cite news |url=https://www.newtimes.ru/articles/detail/78444 |title=Chronicle of the Current Events 3–7 February |newspaper=The New Times |url-access=subscription |access-date=February 10, 2014 |archive-date=February 21, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140221144026/https://www.newtimes.ru/articles/detail/78444 |url-status=live }}[https://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/01/21/pussy-riot-coming-to-brooklyn/?_php=true&_type=blogs&_r=0 Ben Sisario, "Pussy Riot Coming to Brooklyn,"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222062953/https://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/01/21/pussy-riot-coming-to-brooklyn/?_php=true&_type=blogs&_r=0 |date=February 22, 2014 }} The New York Times, January 21, 2014 The letter stated that its anonymous authors were all female, with "leftist anti-capitalist ideology", distributing its artwork freely; that all their performances were "illegal"; and that they opposed all "personality cult[s]" and hierarchies; and it rejected the "mixing of the rebel feminist punk image with the image of institutionalized defenders of prisoners' rights".

In response Tolokonnikova and Alyokhina stated that:{{cite news|last=Kedmey|first=Dan|title=Those Two Pussy Riot Women? They're Not Actually in the Band Anymore |url=https://world.time.com/2014/02/07/those-two-pussy-riot-girls-theyre-not-actually-in-the-band-anymore/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140207100734/https://world.time.com/2014/02/07/those-two-pussy-riot-girls-theyre-not-actually-in-the-band-anymore/|url-status=dead|archive-date=February 7, 2014|newspaper=Time|date=February 7, 2014}}

{{Quote|text=When we were jailed, Pussy Riot immediately became very popular and widely known, and it turned from just a group to essentially an international movement. Anybody can be Pussy Riot, you just need to put on a mask and stage an active protest of something in your particular country, wherever that may be, that you consider unjust. And we're not here as the leaders of Pussy Riot or determining what Pussy Riot is and what it does or what it says. We are just two individuals that spent two years in jail for taking part in a Pussy Riot protest action.}}

Tolokonnikova, Alyokhina, and three unidentified women planned to perform a song called "Putin Will Teach You to Love the Motherland" as Pussy Riot during the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi. The action was supposed to be concerned with the prisoners in the Bolotnaya Square case, corrupt Olympic officials, the plight of the arrested environmentalist {{Interlanguage link multi |Yevgeny Vitishko |ru |3=Витишко, Евгений Геннадиевич}} and suppressed freedoms in Russia.{{cite news |url=https://www.smh.com.au/sport/winter-olympics/sochi-winter-olympics-two-members-of-punk-band-pussy-riot-arrested-before-protest-performance-20140218-hvcwn.html |title=Sochi Winter Olympics: Two members of punk band Pussy Riot arrested before protest performance |work=The Sydney Morning Herald |date=February 19, 2014 |access-date=February 19, 2014 |author=Miller, Nick |archive-date=March 1, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220301143051/https://www.smh.com.au/world/sochi-winter-olympics-two-members-of-punk-band-pussy-riot-arrested-before-protest-performance-20140218-hvcwn.html |url-status=live }} On February 18, 2014, they were detained in Sochi together with a group of 12-15 people including Yevgeny Feldman, a Novaya Gazeta journalist. The authorities explained that the arrest was in connection with a theft at a hotel in Sochi. In a few hours they were released from an Adler police station. According to BBC correspondent Rafael Saakov the five women left the police station in balaclavas singing their song "Putin Will Teach You to Love the Motherland" on the streets of Adler.{{cite news |title=Полиция Сочи отпустила Алехину и Толоконникову |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/russian/russia/2014/02/140218_sochi_tolokonnikova_alekhina_detained.shtml |newspaper=BBC |date=February 18, 2014 |access-date=February 19, 2014 |archive-date=March 1, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140301230123/https://www.bbc.co.uk/russian/russia/2014/02/140218_sochi_tolokonnikova_alekhina_detained.shtml |url-status=live}} On February 19, 2014, during the second attempt to film "Putin Will Teach You to Love the Motherland" near Sochi Seaport, the group was beaten by uniformed Russian Cossack paramilitary providing security for the Olympics.{{cite news |last=Boyarskaya |first=Yekaterina |title=Казаки избили участниц Pussy Riot нагайками |url=https://www.utro.ru/articles/2014/02/19/1176892.shtml |newspaper=Utro |date=February 19, 2014 |access-date=February 19, 2014 |archive-date=February 26, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140226025144/https://www.utro.ru/articles/2014/02/19/1176892.shtml |url-status=live}}{{cite news |last=Walker |first=Shaun |title=Pussy Riot attacked with whips by Cossack militia at Sochi Olympics |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2014/feb/19/pussy-riot-attacked-whips-cossack-milita-sochi-winter-olympics |newspaper=The Guardian |date=February 19, 2014 |access-date=December 12, 2016 |archive-date=January 31, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170131153708/https://www.theguardian.com/music/2014/feb/19/pussy-riot-attacked-whips-cossack-milita-sochi-winter-olympics |url-status=live}} An attorney for the band members stated they were treated at a hospital for injuries received during the attack.{{cite news |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/olympics/sochi/2014/02/20/winter-games-pussy-riot-gay-rights-protest-putin/5634255/ |last=Wolken |first=Dan |work=USA Today |title=IOC: Pussy Riot beating 'unsettling' but not Olympic problem |date=February 20, 2014 |access-date=September 10, 2017 |archive-date=September 11, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210911063854/https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/olympics/sochi/2014/02/20/winter-games-pussy-riot-gay-rights-protest-putin/5634255/ |url-status=live }} A video of the performance was posted on YouTube on February 19, 2014.{{cite web |title=Pussy Riot – Putin will teach you how to love |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gjI0KYl9gWs |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211118/gjI0KYl9gWs |archive-date=2021-11-18 |url-status=live |website=YouTube |access-date=February 20, 2014 |author=Pussy Riot |date=February 19, 2014}}{{cbignore}}

On March 6, 2014, during a visit to Nizhny Novgorod as part of a campaign for prisoners' rights, a group of unknown men wearing Ribbon of Saint George medals doused group members Nadezhda Tolokonnikova, Maria Alyokhina, and Taisia Krugovykh with brilliant green dye, allegedly damaging their eyes. Alyokhina also suffered a concussion after being hit with a jar containing brilliant green.{{cite news|title=На участниц панк-группы Pussy Riot Надежду Толоконникову, Марию Алехину и Таисию Круговых в Нижнем Новгороде было совершено нападение|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/russian/multimedia/2014/03/140306_pussy_riot_zelenka.shtml|newspaper=BBC|date=March 7, 2014|access-date=March 10, 2014|archive-date=March 11, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140311115916/https://www.bbc.co.uk/russian/multimedia/2014/03/140306_pussy_riot_zelenka.shtml|url-status=live}}{{cite news|title=Опубликовано видео нападения на участниц Pussy Riot в Нижнем Новгороде. ВИДЕО|url=https://www.mk.ru/incident/article/2014/03/06/994701-tolokonnikovu-i-alehinu-snova-izbili.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140309033653/https://www.mk.ru/incident/article/2014/03/06/994701-tolokonnikovu-i-alehinu-snova-izbili.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=March 9, 2014|newspaper=Moskovsky Komsomolets|date=March 6, 2014|access-date=March 10, 2014}}{{cite news|title=Pussy Riot members attacked in Nizhny Novgorod, Russia|url=https://www.ctvnews.ca/world/pussy-riot-members-attacked-in-nizhny-novgorod-russia-1.1717151|newspaper=CTV News|date=March 6, 2014|access-date=March 10, 2014|archive-date=March 10, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140310051023/https://www.ctvnews.ca/world/pussy-riot-members-attacked-in-nizhny-novgorod-russia-1.1717151|url-status=live}}{{cite news|title=Pussy Riot members attacked at Russian McDonalds|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/pussy-riot-members-attacked-at-russian-mcdonalds-1.2563497|newspaper=CBC News|date=March 7, 2014|access-date=March 10, 2014|archive-date=March 10, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140310201716/https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/pussy-riot-members-attacked-at-russian-mcdonalds-1.2563497|url-status=live}}

{{cite news|last1=Corbett|first1=Sara|title=Members of the All-Girl Russian Collective Pussy Riot Are Enemies of the State|url=https://www.vogue.com/magazine/article/pussy-riot-members-start-new-organization-zona-prava/#1|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140701221310/https://www.vogue.com/magazine/article/pussy-riot-members-start-new-organization-zona-prava/#1|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 1, 2014|access-date=July 28, 2014|work=Vogue|date=June 30, 2014}}

In 2014, Alyokhina and Tolokonnikova brought suit in the European Court of Human Rights, for their arrest and detention.{{cite news|last1=Luhn|first1=Alec|title=Pussy Riot members take Kremlin to European court of human rights|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2014/jul/28/pussy-riot-kremlin-european-court-human-rights?CMP=fb_us|access-date=July 29, 2014|work=The Guardian|date=July 28, 2014|archive-date=August 10, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140810132344/https://www.theguardian.com/music/2014/jul/28/pussy-riot-kremlin-european-court-human-rights?CMP=fb_us|url-status=live}} In May 2015, Alyokhina and Tolokonnikova together with Tolokonnikova's husband Pyotr Verzilov, Krasnodar artist Lusine Dzhanyan, and activist Alexey Nekrasov, brought another suit in the European Court of Human Rights over police inaction and refusal to prosecute Cossacks who attacked Pussy Riot during their video shoot at the Sochi Winter Olympics for the song "Putin Will Teach You to Love the Motherland".{{cite news|title=Участницы группы Pussy Riot, пострадавшие в Сочи от рук казаков, жалуются в Страсбургский суд|url=https://www.vedomosti.ru/politics/articles/2015/05/25/593346-uchastnitsi-gruppi-pussy-riot-postradavshie-v-sochi-ot-ruk-kazakov-zhaluyutsya-v-strasburgskii-sud|agency=Vedomosti|issue=3837|date=May 25, 2015|access-date=May 25, 2015|archive-date=May 25, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150525181514/https://www.vedomosti.ru/politics/articles/2015/05/25/593346-uchastnitsi-gruppi-pussy-riot-postradavshie-v-sochi-ot-ruk-kazakov-zhaluyutsya-v-strasburgskii-sud|url-status=live}} In 2023, the court decided in favor of Pussy Riot, finding the attack by Cossack militia unprovoked, and ordered the Russian government to pay each victim $24,000 in damages.{{Cite web |title=Rights court slams Russia for attack on Pussy Riot| url=https://www.courthousenews.com/rights-court-slams-russia-for-attack-on-pussy-riot/|access-date=2023-09-26 |date=2023-08-29 |website=Courthouse News Service}}

On February 27, 2018, three band members had been detained by Russian police somewhere between Moscow and the Crimea. This detention came after the band demonstrated outside of a Siberian prison to free Ukrainian film director Oleg Sentsov. Later that day Pussy Riot tweeted that the detained band members were safe.{{Cite news|url=https://www.spin.com/2018/02/pussy-riot-members-missing-russian-police/|title=Pussy Riot Says Two Members Are Missing Following Detainment by Russian Police [UPDATE].|last=Cook-Wilson|first=Winston|date=February 27, 2018|work=Spin Magazine|access-date=March 8, 2018|archive-date=March 9, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180309182754/https://www.spin.com/2018/02/pussy-riot-members-missing-russian-police/|url-status=live}}

On July 15, 2018, three female members of Pussy Riot and one man (Pyotr Verzilov, the husband of Nadezhda Tolokonnikova), dressed as police officers, performed a football pitch invasion of Moscow's Luzhniki Stadium during the second half of the 2018 FIFA World Cup Final match between France and Croatia. They named their performance "Policeman Enters the Game". Croatia defender Dejan Lovren pushed one of the invaders to the ground before security personnel escorted them off.[https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/worldcup/pussy-riot-claim-responsibility-for-world-cup-final-pitch-invasion-a3887696.html Pussy Riot confirms they stormed the football field] {{Webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180715210723/https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/worldcup/pussy-riot-claim-responsibility-for-world-cup-final-pitch-invasion-a3887696.html |date=July 15, 2018 }} Chicago Tribune Retrieved July 15, 2018{{Cite web |url=https://zona.media/chronicle/pr-na-pole |title="Милиционер вступает в игру" |website=Медиазона |access-date=July 16, 2018 |archive-date=July 16, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180716052815/https://zona.media/chronicle/pr-na-pole |url-status=live}} Veronika Nikulshina reached the center of the field and shared a double high five with France forward Kylian Mbappé.{{Cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2018/07/15/pussy-riot-claim-responsibility-world-cup-final-pitch-invasion/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2018/07/15/pussy-riot-claim-responsibility-world-cup-final-pitch-invasion/ |archive-date=January 12, 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Pussy Riot claim responsibility for World Cup final pitch invasion |last=Reporters |first=Telegraph |date=July 15, 2018 |work=The Telegraph |access-date=July 16, 2018}}{{cbignore}} Pussy Riot issued a statement of the aims of their protest and their demands on the Russian authorities.{{Cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-44846446 |title=World Cup: Pussy Riot protesters charged over pitch demonstration |date=July 16, 2018 |work=BBC |access-date=July 16, 2018 |archive-date=July 16, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180716134200/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-44846446 |url-status=live}} Verzilov, Veronika Nikulshina, Olga Pakhtusova, and Olga Kurachyova were sentenced to 15 days imprisonment under Russia's Administrative Code.[https://www.reuters.com/article/us-soccer-worldcup-final-invasion-court/world-cup-pussy-riot-pitch-intruders-jailed-for-15-days-idUSKBN1K6278 World Cup Pussy Riot pitch intruders jailed for 15 days] {{Webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180717224149/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-soccer-worldcup-final-invasion-court/world-cup-pussy-riot-pitch-intruders-jailed-for-15-days-idUSKBN1K6278 |date=July 17, 2018 }}, Reuters, July 17, 2018 Broadcaster Scott Simon described the event as "a conspicuous act of bravery".{{cite web |url=https://www.npr.org/2018/07/21/630931380/opinion-an-act-of-bravery-at-the-world-cup |title=Opinion: An Act of Bravery at the World Cup |website=NPR |access-date=July 22, 2018 |archive-date=July 22, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180722111157/https://www.npr.org/2018/07/21/630931380/opinion-an-act-of-bravery-at-the-world-cup |url-status=live}}

Tolokonnikova and Alyokhina appeared in House of Cards season 3, episode 3 as themselves. The episode also features Pussy Riot concert footage.Jay Deshpande: [https://www.slate.com/blogs/browbeat/2015/03/02/pussy_riot_in_house_of_cards_watch_new_pussy_riot_video.html Watch Pussy Riot’s Very Pussy-Riot Cameo on House of Cards] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160307200842/https://www.slate.com/blogs/browbeat/2015/03/02/pussy_riot_in_house_of_cards_watch_new_pussy_riot_video.html |date=March 7, 2016 }}. Slate, March 2, 2015Loulla-Mae Eleftheriou-Smith: [https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/pussy-riot-on-set-and-in-season-3-of-new-house-of-cards-series-9667163.html Pussy Riot on set and in season 3 of new House of Cards] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170204091926/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/pussy-riot-on-set-and-in-season-3-of-new-house-of-cards-series-9667163.html |date=February 4, 2017 }}. The Independent, August 13, 2014 Tolokonnikova appeared in artist Fawn Rogers' "I Love You And That Makes Me God".{{cite web|url=https://www.kcet.org/arts/artbound/counties/los-angeles/visible-light-fawn-rogers.html|title=The Visible Light Paintings of Fawn Rogers|work=KCET|date=March 11, 2015|access-date=July 1, 2015|archive-date=July 5, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150705055937/https://www.kcet.org/arts/artbound/counties/los-angeles/visible-light-fawn-rogers.html|url-status=live}} In 2016, the Norwegian songwriter Moddi released a cover version in English of "Punk Prayer" in his album Unsongs.{{cite web|url=https://www.qthemusic.com/15455/guest-column-unsongs-by-moddi-plus-listen-to-an-english-version-of-pussy-riots-punk-prayer/|title=Moddi plays Pussy Riot|date=April 29, 2016|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160502074722/https://www.qthemusic.com/15455/guest-column-unsongs-by-moddi-plus-listen-to-an-english-version-of-pussy-riots-punk-prayer/|archive-date=May 2, 2016}} The costume for Emilia Clarke's comic book protagonist Maya from "Mother of Madness" is based on the balaclavas of Pussy Riot.{{Cite magazine|url=https://ew.com/books/emilia-clarke-comic-book-mom-mother-of-madness-preview/|title=Emilia Clarke wrote a comic book! Preview her superhero story M.O.M.: Mother of Madness|date=Apr 21, 2021|magazine=Entertainment Weekly}} Riot Symphony: The Sun Still Shines by Conor Mitchell is a musical with Ulster Orchestra based on Pussy Riot, Sinéad O'Connor, & Sophie Scholl.{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/article/2024/may/07/pussy-riot-sophie-scholl-ulster-orchestra-conor-mitchell-riot-symphony|title='Russian protest punk and symphonies might seem worlds apart. But the idea is the same: weaponise your art'|date=May 7, 2024|website=The Guardian}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/music/2024/05/04/riot-symphony-composer-conor-mitchell-im-hoping-that-one-of-pussy-riot-will-come-to-the-concert/|title=Riot Symphony composer Conor Mitchell: 'I'm hoping that one of Pussy Riot will come to the concert'|date=May 4, 2024|website=Irish Times}}

{{Main|Pussy Riot discography}}

Studio albums

• Wont Get Fooled Again/Riot Across the World! (2014)
• In Riot We Trust (2017)

Mixtapes

• Matriarchy Now (2022)

{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders"

|-

! scope="col" | Award

! scope="col" | Year

! scope="col" | Nominee(s)

! scope="col" | Category

! scope="col" | Result

! scope="col" class="unsortable"| {{Abbr|Ref.|References}}

|-!scope="row" rowspan=1

| Soratnik Prize

| 2012

| rowspan=1|

|

| {{won}}

| {{Cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130331124744/http://www.artguide.ru/ru/articles/15/264|title=Awarding the Companion Award. Pussy Riot received an award from the professional community|archive-date=Mar 31, 2013|website=Art Guide|url-status=dead|url=http://www.artguide.ru/ru/articles/15/264}}

|-!scope="row" rowspan=1

| Kandinsky Prize

| 2012

| rowspan=1|

|

| {{Nominated}}

| {{Cite web|url=https://www.artforum.com/news/grisha-bruskin-and-aesf-collective-awarded-2012-kandinsky-prize-214650/|title=Grisha Bruskin and AES+F Collective Awarded 2012 Kandinsky Prize|date=Dec 14, 2012|website=Art Forum}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.rferl.org/a/pussy-riot-nominated-for-kandinsky-prize/24673105.html|title=Anti-Putin Punk Group Nominated For Prestigious Russian Art Award|date=Aug 10, 2012|website=Radio Free Europe}}

|-

!scope="row" rowspan=2|Berlin Music Video Awards

| 2019

| "My Sex"

| Best Animation

| {{nom}}

| {{Cite web|url=https://www.berlinmva.com/news/2019-nominees/|title=Berlin Music Video Awards 2019 Nominees|date=April 2019|access-date=April 9, 2022|archive-date=April 16, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210416141241/https://www.berlinmva.com/news/2019-nominees/|url-status=live}}

|-

| 2021

| rowspan=2|"Panic Attack"

| Best Experimental

| {{nom}}

| {{Cite web|url=https://www.berlinmva.com/footer/2021-nominees-full/|title=2021 Nominees|access-date=April 9, 2022|archive-date=August 15, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220815105843/https://www.berlinmva.com/footer/2021-nominees-full/|url-status=live}}

|-

!scope="row"|Music Video Festival

| 2021

| Innovation

| {{nom}}

| [https://www.musicvideofestival.com.br/en/awards/2021/ Awards 2021] Music Video Festival

|-

!scope="row" rowspan=1|Woody Guthrie Prize

| 2023

| rowspan=1|

|

| {{won}}

| {{Cite web|url=https://www.tpr.org/2023-05-06/russian-protest-art-group-pussy-riot-wins-woody-guthrie-prize|title=Russian protest art group Pussy Riot wins Woody Guthrie Prize|date=May 6, 2023|website=TPR}}

|-

{{end}}

• {{cite book |last1=Alyokhina |first1=Maria |author1-link=Maria Alyokhina |title=Riot Days |date=26 September 2017 |publisher=Metropolitan Books |isbn=978-1-250-16491-9 |ref=none}}
• {{cite book |last1=Borenstein |first1=Eliot |author1-link=Eliot Borenstein |title=Pussy Riot: Speaking Punk to Power |date=12 November 2020 |publisher=Bloomsbury Academic |isbn=978-1-350-11353-4 |language=en |ref=none}}
• {{cite book |last1=Delvaux |first1=Martine |author1-link=Martine Delvaux |title=Serial Girls: From Barbie to Pussy Riot |date=6 February 2018 |publisher=Between the Lines |isbn=978-1-77113-186-5 |language=en |ref=none}}
• {{cite book |last1=Gessen |first1=Masha |author1-link=Masha Gessen |title=Words Will Break Cement: The Passion of Pussy Riot |date=8 January 2014 |publisher=Penguin |isbn=978-1-59463-219-8 |ref=none}}
• {{cite book |last1=Goldman |first1=Vivien |author1-link=Vivien Goldman |title=Revenge of the She-Punks: A Feminist Music History from Poly Styrene to Pussy Riot |date=7 May 2019 |publisher=University of Texas Press |isbn=978-1-4773-1654-2 |language=en |ref=none}}
• {{cite book |last1=Herbert |first1=Alexander |title=What about Tomorrow?: An Oral History of Russian Punk from the Soviet Era to Pussy Riot |date=2019 |publisher=Microcosm Publishing |isbn=978-1-62106-404-6 |language=en |ref=none}}
• {{cite book |author1=Pussy Riot |title=Pussy Riot!: A Punk Prayer For Freedom |date=5 February 2013 |publisher=The Feminist Press at CUNY |isbn=978-1-55861-834-3 |language=en |ref=none}}
• {{cite book |last1=Tolokonnikova |first1=Nadya |author1-link=Nadya Tolokonnikova |title=Read & Riot: A Pussy Riot Guide to Activism |date=9 October 2018 |publisher=HarperCollins |isbn=978-0-06-274159-2 |language=en |ref=none}}

• MediaZona
• 1950 Notre-Dame Affair

{{Reflist|30em}}

{{Wikiquote}}

{{Commons category|Pussy Riot}}

• {{Official website|https://pussy-riot.livejournal.com|Official blog}}
• {{YouTube|u=PussyRiotOfficial|Official Pussy Riot}} (english)
• {{YouTube|u=PussRiot|Pussy Riot}} (cyrillic) (2011-2015)
• {{Discogs artist|artist=2823210-Pussy-Riot|name=Pussy Riot}}
• {{IMDb title|2481238|Pussy Riot – A Punk Prayer}}
• {{IMDb title|2953170|Pussy Riot: The Movement}}

{{good article}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:2011 establishments in Russia

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