When news broke on a Friday that three members of Pussy Riot were convicted of “hooliganism” and sentenced to two years in a Russian prison, it resonated deeply within our Brooklyn VICE editorial office. Like many around the globe, we were stunned by the severity of the punishment for what seemed like a performance of protest. The music editors, in particular, felt the weight of this injustice. We discussed hypothetical scenarios, imagining similar acts of protest in the United States and the likely, far less severe, consequences.
“Imagine if I went to a public space here, voiced my dissent through performance art, maybe even with music. The reaction would be drastically different,” one editor mused.
We realized the stark contrast in freedoms. In our context, such actions might lead to a minor legal inconvenience at most, certainly not years of imprisonment. This realization amplified our frustration and a sense of helplessness. Blogging, tweeting – none of it felt sufficient to express the depth of our concern and solidarity.
Driven by a need to do something tangible, the idea of tattoos emerged. It wasn’t a large-scale protest, but a personal act of solidarity, a way to carry a symbol of support. Initially, “hooliganism” was considered, a direct reference to the charges against Pussy Riot. This evolved to simply “hooligan,” a sentiment many of us identified with. Finally, we settled on “hooligan” in Russian, a permanent reminder of the injustice and a nod to the band’s origin.
The call for a tattoo artist went out, seeking someone willing to contribute to this act of solidarity. Friends connected us with Shannon and Jon of Triple Diamond Tattoo. They generously opened their (then not officially open) shop, offering discounted tattoos to VICE staff members.
Annette, bravely stepping up as the first, and the only non-music editor, received her tattoo. Ben Shapiro, Editor in Chief of Noisey, chose his ribs for the ink. Josh from Noisey focused on his beer to manage the discomfort. Sasha Hecht, Noisey’s Associate Editor, faced the needle with remarkable nonchalance. And I, the Music Editor at VICE, found a strange satisfaction in the process, perhaps a grim determination mirroring the seriousness of the situation.
Through ink and a little blood, we expressed our unwavering support for Pussy Riot. It was a small gesture, a tattoo, but it symbolized a larger message: we stand with those who are silenced, and we value the freedom of expression that should be universal.
Our gratitude to Jon and Shannon at Triple Diamond Tattoo for their artistry and support in making this statement. For anyone seeking tattoos, political or otherwise, Triple Diamond Tattoo is highly recommended.
