Pussy Riot meets with US Senators; asks for more sanctions for Russian officials

[davidn3600]

WASHINGTON (AP) — Two members of the Russian dissident punk group Pussy Riot came to the Capitol Tuesday and asked members of Congress to add 16 officials to the list of Russian human rights violators who face U.S. sanctions.

Before a throng of cameras and reporters, the women — Nadezhda Tolokonnikova and Maria Alekhina — said Russian President Vladimir Putin's crackdown on human rights was damaging that country.

"Putin is not leading Russia to stability, but to complete instability and chaos," Tolokonnikova said through a translator.

The pair was arrested in 2012 after an obscenity-laced performance criticizing Putin at Moscow's main cathedral. They spent nearly two years in prison, but since their release have continued decrying the lack of freedom in Russia and harsh government tactics against opponents.

http://news.yahoo.com/pussy-riot-members-tell-congress-rights-abuses-170419970--politics.html

[Cha]

1. "..Russian President Vladimir Putin's crackdown on human rights was damaging that country."

thanks davidn

[jberryhill]

2. I'll bet a couple of them showed up thinking...

"Oh, this isn't what I expected when they said, 'hey, you wanna go to the pussy riot thing?' I thought it was a little early in the week for that."

[freeplessinseattle]

3. That is so fantastic, thank you for the post! n/t