Masha Alekhina and Nadya Tolokonnikova, members of the controversial Russian punk band Pussy Riot, have released their first English song, “I Can’t Breathe,” inspired by Eric Garner’s tragic passing.
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The song’s title is Garner’s last words as he died in New York City in July 2014. Garner is widely believed to have been a victim of police brutality as he was placed in a choke hold, although a grand jury declined to indict the officer who caused his death.
Speaking of their song, the band wrote on their YouTube page, “Pussy Riot’s first song in English is dedicated to Eric Garner and the words he repeated eleven times before his death. This song is for Eric and for all those from Russia to America and around the globe who suffer from state terror — killed, choked, perished because of war and state sponsored violence of all kinds — for political prisoners and those on the streets fighting for change. We stand in solidarity.”
“I Can’t Breathe” was recorded during the time that the protests took place in New York in December 2014, following the jury’s decision.
“‘I can’t breathe.’ These are the last words of Eric Garner. Those words are his, but we hope they can also stand for us and for many around the world, for all who can’t breathe because authorities act with impunity and feel invincible and above the law in using power to humiliate, intimidate, hurt, kill and oppress. We’ve known, on our own skin, what police brutality feels like, and we can’t be silent on this issue,” the musicians told The Guardian.
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In the video of the new track, Alekhina and Tolokonnikova can be seen wearing Russian riot police uniforms as they are buried alive by thick black soil. It’s a powerful video, and a powerful message that will no doubt resonate with many.
Watch the video below.
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