Pro-Pussy Riot Banner Planned for Narva Castle (46)

Published: 23.08.2012 17:21

Narva Castle, at Estonia's border with Russia
( Photo: Postimees/Scanpix )

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Outspoken MP Juku-Kalle Raid is planning to redecorate the wall of the Narva Castle on August 24, adding an 8 meter by 24 meter banner in support of jailed members of the Russian punk-rock group Pussy Riot.

The banner, which will face the Russian side of the Narva River border and be clearly visible from Ivangorod, will bear the slogan, "You can't stop freedom!" in English, Russian and Estonian, rus.err.ee reported.

Raid, whose actions are being supported by Russian journalist and writer Artemy Troitsky, also plans to send a letter to the Russian courts, the Russian State Duma and the Russian embassy in Tallinn in which he refers to the jailed Pussy Riot members as "prisoners of conscience" and calls for "dialog with Russian organizations and citizens who value freedom of thought and speech."

On August 17, a Moscow court sentenced three members of the band to two years in prison for an anti-Putin stunt they performed in a cathedral in February. Both the trial and the sentence have drawn fire from international human rights groups, politicians and artists as being heavy-handed and politically motivated.

Members of the Narva City Council contacted by ERR had mixed reactions to the planned banner, some opposing it on the grounds that the Pussy Riot sentencing was Russia's internal affair and others expressing indifference.

 

Steve Roman

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Comments (46)

  • Foreigner

    23.08.2012 15:46

    This is not going to end well... If the border is closed by this provocation, the Estonian economy will feel a big hit...

  • Mart Mang

    23.08.2012 17:20

    Instead of the fortress, the sign should go next to the nearby statue of a lion, whose behind is pointing toward Russia...

  • get real

    23.08.2012 18:33

    Since when is desecrating a house of worship 'free' speech and not a hate crime? This 'protest' took place in the same Moscow cathedral that had to rebuilt after being blown to bits the Bolsheviks. Suppose it took place in a synagogue or a mosque? I wonder if the same cultural Philistines that support Pussy Riot would be there for them. I rather think not. If you don't like Putin, go to Red Square and say so and leave people that had their religion and culture stolen by a criminal gang for 70+ years alone...

  • Dutch

    23.08.2012 19:55

    Just a thought, if this Russian bear decides to fart in the wrong direction... Estonia might find itself in deep ***. Maybe Juku-Kalle Raid might want to consider the interests of his fellow Estonians. Playing David & Goliath might have its romantic sides and a dislike of Russia might be politically popular but pissing into the wind without an umbrella is never a smart move. Mr. Juku-Kalle Raid, do you have an umbrella large enough to cover Estonia? Or enough buckets to clean up the *** afterwards? If yes, go for it !!!

  • Dutch

    24.08.2012 04:53

    @Dear Mr. Editor. My use of the colloquial form of the word "faeces" (or "excrement") having been edited to read " *** " is rather amuzing. Possibly you are not aware of the fact that the rather popular expression sh*t! is used on a more-or-less regular basis by royalty, American presidents, priests, celebrities, cooks, crooks, kids, police, politicians, scientists and... my mother! The Dutch have also welcomed the word into their vocabulary. The Germans being Germans stick to the German version "scheisse". Estonians might have their own version as well? Or maybe next time you would prefer me to use poo, poop, number two, doodoo, stool, logs, dung, droppings or crap :-)

  • Patrik Gillsvik

    24.08.2012 09:10

    I agree with "Foreigner". The Pussy Riot trial was a joke and the sentence was already decided in advance. In Putins Russia you cannot even play a song with political lyrics without getting into serious trouble. But protest against Putins or support for Pussy Riot should be done in Russia and not elsewhere. Do not give a totalitarian regime like Putins any excuses for acting aggressive, this is just what he is waiting for.

  • avatar

    auslane

    24.08.2012 09:48

    Given that churches are mere buildings constructed for the supposed benefit of non-existent entities, and that Putin is increasingly using the organisation that owns these buildings for his own political ends, I think this is an appropriate protest. Giving in to a fear of Goliath is exactly what should be avoided, and it isn't like Estonia is conducting military exercises on the Russian / Estonian border or anything. Going on the report, it is a banner with a slogan that should be heartily endorsed by humanity as a whole. The sentence of 2 years imposed is utterly out of proportion with the 'offence'.

  • @dutch

    24.08.2012 09:55

    there is an automatic censorship system for selected words.

  • Fons

    24.08.2012 11:20

    @ Dutch, I know one Dutch word: POEP! Pussy Riot should not have used a place of religeous worship for their performance. And neither should Putin use the church for his political purposes. Allas, both did and do. Of course the sentence is out of proportion, but a banner? Seems like a Zhirinovski thing to do: Make a joke of yourself.

  • @auslane

    24.08.2012 12:07

    Who are you to make such statements about religious buildings and decide who can violate their space and purpose? All you succeeded in doing is to make yourself out to be a bigot and show your intolerance.

  • 'nother foreigner

    24.08.2012 12:24

    @Dutch: The word containing the letters P, U, T, and S (in that order) is also censored here. While a perfectly legimitate English word, it is apparently because it has some meaning in Estonian that is deemed offensive. Strangely enough the English counter part of that word is not banned here, otherwise we wouldn't be able to even write this band's name in the comments.

  • @get real

    24.08.2012 12:43

    And since when a "house of worship" has become a center of coordinating policies and strategies to retain power at any cost? Since when church has also become a second hand of a dictator and a mafioso? That house as you call it, has lost any credibility and it is not better than any mafioso's house.

  • avatar

    auslane

    24.08.2012 12:59

    Who am I? Someone capable of reasoned, logical thought, and also someone who chuckles over accusations of bigotry. I gather my assessment struck a little too close to home, too close to the privilege many religious people feel? There is nothing special about a church, except from a cultural perspective. That you complain about my words and not Putins manipulation of religion as a tool of control demonstrates your own flawed priorities. Perhaps you should focus your outrage on the real issue here? As the line goes, blasphemy is a victimless crime - the punishment is purely politically motivated.

  • Balt

    24.08.2012 13:07

    @ get real My thoughts exactly, well said.

  • @auslane

    24.08.2012 15:35

    There is nothing special about a church to YOU. It is special to others and that is why there is a negative reaction to such incidents by many.

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