Free Pussy Riot Rally In Chicago: Protesters To Gather At City Hall In Support Of Russian Punk Band

'Free Pussy Riot' Supporters To Rally Outside City Hall
Protesters rally during a demonstration in front of the Russian consulate in support of Russian punk band Pussy Riot, Friday, Aug. 17, 2012 in New York. A Russian judge found three members of the provocative punk band guilty of hooliganism on Friday, in one of the most closely watched cases in recent Russian history. The judge said the three band members committed hooliganism driven by religious hatred and offending religious believers. The three were arrested in March after a guerrilla performance in Moscow's main cathedral calling for the Virgin Mary to protect Russia against Vladimir Putin, who was elected to a new term as Russia's president a few days later. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)
Protesters rally during a demonstration in front of the Russian consulate in support of Russian punk band Pussy Riot, Friday, Aug. 17, 2012 in New York. A Russian judge found three members of the provocative punk band guilty of hooliganism on Friday, in one of the most closely watched cases in recent Russian history. The judge said the three band members committed hooliganism driven by religious hatred and offending religious believers. The three were arrested in March after a guerrilla performance in Moscow's main cathedral calling for the Virgin Mary to protect Russia against Vladimir Putin, who was elected to a new term as Russia's president a few days later. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)

In response to Amnesty International's declaration of Free Pussy Riot Global Day, Chicagoans are expected to rally outside City Hall on the same day three members of the Russian feminist art collective were found guilty and sentenced to two years in prison each for "hooliganism."

Organizers of the rally, to be held from 4:30-6:30 p.m., are urging local supporters to "bring a brightly colored balaclava" -- or ski mask -- out of support for Nadezhda Tolokonnikova, Maria Alyokhina and Yekaterina Samutsevich.

The women -- aged 22, 24 and 30 -- were arrested in March after performing a "punk prayer" in opposition to Vladimir Putin, who was re-elected as Russia's president two weeks later. The have been jailed since their arrest.

Their incarceration sparked global outrage as a myriad of prominent musicians including Paul McCartney, Madonna, Peaches and Bjork called for the group to be freed.

Other demonstrations against the Pussy Riot members' sentencing are expected to be held in dozens of cities around the world Friday, including a protest outside the Russian consulate in New York City.

Pussy Riot On Trial

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