LUMPENPROLETARIAT—In a model demonstration of international solidarity, Russian punk rockers Pussy Riot have dedicated their first English-language song to American victim of police terrorism, Eric Garner.  Garner’s murder by police choke hold in the Summer of 2014 became, not just another national symbol of police terrorism, but an international call for anti-fascist solidarity.  I can’t breathe, Eric Garner pleaded with police, as they strangled the life out of him.

We know not all cops are bad.  Toward that fact, the public implores cops of conscience (if that’s not a contradiction in terms) to rise up in solidarity and refuse and resist the culture of fascism manifesting itself in police departments across the USA.  Once the public sees cops out protesting wanton killings of unarmed civilians by fellow cops, as we see military vets protesting bad military policies, then the public will have a sign indicating what we hope:  Not all cops are bad.  Not all cops are complicit in police terrorism against the citizenry.

—Messina

“I Can’t Breathe” by Pussy Riot

He’s become his death
The spark of the riots
That’s the way he’s blessed
To stay alive.

It never leads to an end
It’s never getting quiet
If it’s unfair, my friend,
Make up your mind

It’s getting dark in New York city
It’s getting dark in New York city
It’s getting tight in New York city
I need to catch my breath

You know this world of hate
You know this stubborn light
They’re in the prayers you pray
Late at night

We’re only half way down
Who dares to take a breath?
Some fairness might be found
From ashes of his death.

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PUSSY RIOT VIDEO—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.

Pussy Riot’s Masha and Nadya are being buried alive in the Russian riot police uniforms that are worn during the violent clashes of police and the protesters fighting for change in Russia. A pack of “Russian Spring” brand cigarettes is on the ground at the beginning. “Russian Spring” is a term used by those who are in love with Russia’s aggressive militant actions in Ukraine, and the cigarettes are a real thing.

“I Can’t Breathe” was recorded in New York in December 2014 during the protests against police brutality together with Pussy Riot, Richard Hell, Nick Zinner, Andrew Wyatt, Shahzad Ismaily (The Ceramic Dog) and Russian bands Jack Wood and Scofferlane.

MUSIC VIDEO:
Concept, directed and produced: Pussy Riot
Director of Photography and editor: Mikhail Vikhrov.

MUSIC:
Concept, produced: Pussy Riot
Vocals: Sasha Klokova (Jack Wood), Matt Kulakov (Scofferlane), Richard Hell
Lyrics: Matt Kulakov (Scofferlane)
Monologe of Eric Garner: Richard Hell
Bit: Andrew Wyatt
Piano, Bass: Nick Zinner
Drums: Shahzad Ismaily
Engineered and mixed by Philip Weinrobe at Figure Eight Studios in Brooklyn, NY

Learn more at PUSSY RIOT VIDEO.

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[Last modified 09:19 PDT  7 JUN 2015]

[Image entitled “Pussy Riot by Igor Mukhin” by Игорь Мухин at Russian Wikipedia. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons. Licensed under Fair use via Wikipedia.]

[En sanctuarium, Sunday, June 7, 2015.]