Madonna Introduces Pussy Riot At Amnesty International Concert In New York: Watch
Madonna, a vocal supporter of previously-imprisoned Russian band Pussy Riot, introduced two members of the political activist group/punk-rockers at Brooklyn’s Barclays Center on Wednesday (February 5) night, during Amnesty International’s Bringing Human Rights Home concert. Cane-wielding Madge read a handwritten speech about Pussy Riot, which started off with a jokey tone (“I’d like to thank Pussy Riot for making the word ‘pussy’ a sayable word in my household…”), but segued to the pop queen reflecting on her own MDNA Tour hitting Russia in 2012 shortly after the band was arrested.
“What I realized when I went to Russia and saw what was going on with Pussy Riot and this trial, and what was going on with the gay community, was how lucky I was and am to live in a country where I can speak my mind,” Madonna said during her introduction of the band. She went on to urge citizens to stand up to people like Russian President Vladimir Putin and other leaders who “do not respect human rights and perpetuate oppression, discrimination and injustice of any kind.”
Eventually, Nadya Tolokonnikova and Masha Alyokhina of Pussy Riot took the Barclays stage as Madonna called out for several hell yeahs from the audience — and even a hell-mother-fuckin’-yeah. Woah.
Other acts who hit up the concert last night to support the Russian band members included Lauryn Hill and Imagine Dragons.
Ironically, SPIN points out that Nadya and Masha have now been been criticized — and pretty much booted out of the group — by a handful of other Pussy Riot members for contradicting the group’s principles by taking the stage with Madonna. Among other things, Pussy Riot’s performances are ideologically supposed to be illegal and performed in public spaces, according to the other members, who issued a letter stating, “They are no longer Pussy Riot. We have lost two friends, two ideological teammates, but the world has gained two brave rights activists.”
Way to go, Madonna.
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