Bjork Dedicates Live Performance of ‘Declare Independence’ to Pussy Riot

Bjork is the latest popular musician from the West to join the chorus of support for Pussy Riot, the embattled Russian all-girl punk band with three members currently being detained after being arrested in February for protesting President Vladimir Putin. Over the weekend, the Icelandic singer dedicated a performance of her 2008 ‘Volta’ single ‘Declare Independence’ to the group during a concert in Helsinki, Finland.

Later, she revealed in a Facebook post that she had more ambitious plans for the show that involved members of Pussy Riot that aren’t locked up, but was unable to pull them off. She wrote:

i invited some of pussy riot members to join me onstage in declare independence but they didnt get visas so i dedicated it to them instead ! the conclusion in their case is at the end of the week . here’s to freedom of speech !!!!

She also posted a statement about Pussy Riot on her official website:

as a musician and a mother i would like to express i fiercely dont agree with them being put to jail because of their peaceful protest performance . they are currently standing trial and facing seven years in prison for this .

in my opinion the russian authorities should let them go home to their families and children

The fate of the three Pussy Riot members, who are facing three years in jail, will be decided Friday (Aug. 17), when a judge delivers his verdict after a trial that ended recently. The three group members were detained after having forcing their way into a Moscow church to sing a “punk prayer” calling for the overthrow of Putin. They each have been charged with hooliganism.

Members of the Red Hot Chili Peppers and the Beastie Boys are among the Western rock stars who have shown their support for Pussy Riot, with the latter’s Adam ‘Ad-Rock’ Horovitz recently DJing a benefit concert to raise money for the cause.

Watch Bjork Perform ‘Declare Independence’ for Pussy Riot