Transcript Of Speech For the Pussy riot Rally On 20th April 2012
Welcome to the free pussy Riot Action.  I'm Marisa and I'm from Anarchist Black Cross Melbourne.  We act as  watchdogs for Police powers.  We are also committed to fighting genocicde of First Nations people.  We are a small organizeation that supports political prisoners in need all over the world.  We create Defense committees for arrestees when needed, and I wish I was over there in Russia creating a Defense committee for our Russian sisters.  I'm also a radio broadcaster at 3Cr community Radio broadcasting a prison show called Doin Time, every Monday from 4 till5 pm Australian time.

I'm here in solidarity with the Russian Women who've been arrested on trumped up charges in Russia.  A Russian punk band, expressing anti Government sentiments and feminist perspective, they have been severely rail roaded.  What an absolute  gross violation of human rights to be thrown into prison, to be humiliated by church and state.  The Catholic Church in Australia is, along with the Government  trying to take away the reproductive rights of Women.  Women are constantly being oppressed.  And yet, these Russian feminists have to apologize to the church? What for? They didn't damage any property.

Charged with
"hooliganism", these women have been remanded in jail, facing up to 7 years criminal punishment for allegedly participating in the punk-prayer Virgin Mary, sending an anti
Putin message.  They're  publicly demonstrating for human rights and against
the current oppressive regime under Putin.

This case has serious implications for Australia.  International solidarity is important.  Civil liberties are severely lacking in Australia.  Lex Wotton, respected Palm Islander is on parole now as we speak, and under a gag Order.  No freedom of speech for him! In the same way, these courageous Russian Feminists are suffering degradation and humiliation in a Russian prison just for speaking out.  Amnesty International sums it up beautifully when they say that: "Pussy Riot have done peaceful performances
in highly visible places, the band has given voice to basic rights under threat in Russia today, while expressing the values and principles of
gender equality, democracy and freedom of expression contained in the
Russian constitution and other international instruments, including the
Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the CEDAW Convention."

Abcm (Anarchist Black Cross Melbourne) stands in solidarity with Pussy Riot.  Free all political prisoners! Cease the oppression of all women.  Provide equal rights for all.  Anarchist Black Cross Melbourne admires the tenacity and strength of our Russian sisters.  For an injury to one is an injury to all.  As well as taking care of our own backyard, we need to also develop a global Internationalist perspective otherwise we lose the fight for human rights, mutual aid and community control.  Always was always with be Aboriginal land.