We're starting the Winter 2022 series virtually with a selection of favorite presentations from the archives. This Penny Stamps Distinguished Speaker Series event originally took place on September 18, 2014.
Founding members of the art collective Pussy Riot and Zona Prava, Nadya Tolokonnikova and Masha Alekhina are Russian conceptual artists and political activists. In August 2012, following an anti-Putin performance in Moscow Cathedral of Christ the Saviour, they were sentenced to two years' imprisonment. In March 2014 they opened the Mordovia office of Zona Prava, their newly created prisoners’ rights NGO. Tolokonnikova and Alekhina are Lennon Ono Grant for Peace recipients.
Pussy Riot is a feminist punk guerilla performance collective of approximately 11 women. Their unauthorized public performances address feminism, LGBT rights, and opposition to Russian President Putin.
Zona Prava (Zone of Rights) was founded by Nadya and Masha on their December 2013 release from prison. The goal of Zona Prava is to aid those in prison who are ready and willing to fight for their rights. The organization provides information, legal representation, safety monitoring, advocacy and oversight.