THE verdict in the Pussy Riot trial is expected this Friday and, in some quarters, what follows will either be a celebration or a call to action.
As part of a global day of protest in solidarity with the Moscow-based band, staff at News from Nowhere Bookshop will read translations of the testimonials delivered in court by members of Pussy Riot in their trial.
The event will take place at 1pm, an hour after the verdicts are expected.
Events are taking place from Barcelona to Washington, called for by the families and defence lawyers of the three bandmates, Nadezhda Tolokonnikova, Maria Alekhina and Ekaterina Samucevich, who have so far spent five months in prison and now face a possible three year sentence.
The women were arrested in March after dancing in coloured balaclavas in front of the altar of the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour in Moscow,while asking the Virgin Mary to rid Russia of Vladimir Putin. They are charged with hooliganism motivated by religious hatred.
Playwright E V Crowe, who is introducing a similar event at the Royal Court in London on Friday said, "What Pussy Riot does is take a stand, through art, and then maximise its impact through social media. They are women who make me want to understand the world I'm living in, to write about it, and to be brave whatever the cost."
The Royal Court's artistic director, Dominic Cooke, said, "The Pussy Riot trial is of concern to those who believe that the right of artists to question the actions of the state is central to an egalitarian society.”
Mandy Vere of News from Nowhere said, “As feminists and lovers of freedom, we are appalled at the draconian measures taken against Pussy Riot’s brave outspokenness – the least we can do is publicise their words in solidarity. All are welcome to attend and show their support at this free event.”
The readings of Pussy Riot’s testimony have been translated from Russian by Sasha Dugdale, who has been following live feeds from the trial. She described their words as "extraordinary, poetic, full of passion and innocence"
Meanwhile, it's all as good a reason as any to publish this new poster by the artist and former Mr Margie Clark, Jamie Reid.
*Pussy Riot Readings, News From Nowhere, Bold St, Liverpool 1. Friday, August 17, 1pm. Free.
