Members Of Famed Russian Punk Band Speak Out At Amnesty International Concert At Barclays Center
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Members of the Russian punk band "Pussy Riot" attended an Amnesty International concert presented by the CBGB Festival at Barclays Center in Brooklyn on Wednesday.
As 1010 WINS' Holli Haerr reported, band members Maria "Masha'' Alyokhina and Nadezhda "Nadya'' Tolokonnikova said they hope people aren't blinded by the Olympics to what is really going on in Russia.
Members Of Famed Russian Punk Band Speak Out At Amnesty International Concert At Barclays Center
"We want to see Americans keep their eyes open and not just buy whole what Putin is trying to sell them," the women said through an interpreter.
Masha and Nadya said they have no regrets about the protest concert against Russian President Vladimir Putin that landed them in prison for nearly two years.
The pair also said the climate against the LGBT community in their country is getting worse.
"What our government has been doing lately has been inciting hatred toward the LGBT community," one of the women said.
Alexander told Haerr he went to the concert Wednesday to see Masha and Nadya. "I came special to visit this concert because I am Russian. And I know very well what is going on in Russia."
Alexander moved from Russia to the United States two months ago and said he would like to live in Russia but feels it's unsafe because of the climate against the gay community, Haerr reported.
Alexander said he respects what the band did and would like to tell them they did a good job.
The women were joined at the fundraising concert, billed "Bringing Human Rights Home,'' by artists and musical groups such as Madonna, Colbie Caillat, Lauryn Hill, Cake, Cold War Kids, The Flaming Lips, The Fray, Imagine Dragons and Tegan and Sara.
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