#freepussyriot

Have you seen the Twitter hashtag #freepussyriot? It refers to three members of a female punk band who were arrested in Russia in March for performing a punk-rock protest in a Russian Orthodox church in Moscow.

These three women are part of the music group Pussy Riot, a name that the members chose to draw attention. The band members wear knit caps over their heads and sing, twirling and kicking their heels, to express their feminist views and to protest Russian President Vladimir Putin, who was recently re-elected for a third term.

After their arrest, Pussy Riot’s first advocates were among the art and music crowd and then grew to include social media supporters and a global audience, many of whom have been flooding the Twitterverse with #freepussyriot. After the band was sentenced on Friday to two years in prison for “hooliganism driven by religious hatred,” the Twitter began running free with links to global media coverage. Outrage over the apparent lack of free speech has even spilled out into the streets.

Does this sound familiar? This particular band and protest might not, but what resonates is the fact that once again women are at the forefront of change in their countries. Remember the women of Iran protesting to get the vote and the women of Saudi Arabia fighting to get rights so universal to the rest of us — driving their own cars and traveling alone?

Well if you think about it, it wasn’t really that long ago that women in America were taking to the streets and even being jailed for fighting for the right to vote. In fact, we are still advocating for women to get to the polls! We’re also still fighting for women’s right to equal pay, sick leave, reproductive rights, Title IX compliance — the list goes on. We’re using Twitter for these issues too: #AAUW, #EqualPay, #TitleIX, and #ItsMyVote are just a few examples.

By the time you read this, there will be much more coverage of the Pussy Riot situation in the news. The noise may slow to start in their own country, but we know what kind of impact social media and global opinions can have. These three women, two of whom are mothers, are taking a stand. I admire such courage. I support spreading the word.

#freepussyriot