Pussy Riot releases ‘disturbing’ video in support of refugees

Pussy Riot takes to heart the challenges facing Europe and has released a video statement about the current refugee crisis.

The music video for “Refugees In” (watch below, lyrics at end of band’s press statement) is dedicated to the refugees and was filmed on Sept. 25, during the Pussy Riot performance at Banksy’s Dismaland with the generous help from director Ralf Schmerberg and music producers bretonLABS, Ten Ven and Alexandre Parsons.

 

Read the band’s press statement sent today:

More than 750,000 refugees have arrived in Europe so far in 2015. Many more are coming. They are mostly escaping from war or persecution in Syria, Afghanistan, Eritrea, Iraq and Sudan. Thousands are dying on the way.

In the UK, for example, refugees cannot apply for asylum from outside the country – so they are forced to travel there illegally.

Why can’t we live in a truly global world, not one with locked borders, razor wires and refugee camps? History has shown that migrants can be innovative and entrepreneurial. Look at the US for an example of a whole culture built on the input of immigrants and migrants.

Thousands of ordinary people across Europe are trying to help, but most governments are not matching their efforts. We believe in solidarity with human beings in need, wherever they are from, whatever their background. This is not a question of politics or nationality, but of saving human lives.

Pussy Riot have joined forces with London-based art-group The Connor Brothers (Mike Snelle and James Golding) who have started the NGO “Refugee Response Foundation” to help the refugees in Calais. Pussy Riot will visit Calais in January 2016 to build shelters in association with students from the architecture department at Cambridge University to help the housing problem.

ISIS will win if Europe rejects the value of multi-culturalism and is terrified by the threats of extreme-right politicians. When Europe closes its borders, it will tumble back to the previous century; the era of nationalism.

Vianney Le Caer for Pussy Riot
Vianney Le Caer for Pussy Riot

If Europe closes the borders hundreds of thousands of Muslims, putting on the line everything they have to escape radical Muslim state, will never be able to see another world. Some of them will join that very ISIS, being embittered and disappointed in the good will of European states. We should accept and save those who flee countries occupied by terrorists. The time of grief for the dead should not become a time in which we betray the belief of millions in the humanity of the European world. Our grief should not teach us to aim for revenge, war and hate. It should teach us to help and show real compassion for each other.

Pussy Riot is now recording several pieces of music, the main idea is to oppose the right-wing conservative curtain that seems to be falling globally, no longer just affecting Russia but countries across Europe and the US. Neo–facist parties in Europe, Donald Trump in the US, the rise of Germany’s AfD; it’s fucking scary. And it’s the reason and it’s the time to be loud and proud of your feminist, LGBTQ and pro-refugees values.

“We are planning to release a lot of disturbing videos next year, we hope that you will not like them.” Nadya Tolokonnikova of Pussy Riot says.

NO
nationalism
populism
xenophobia
prejudices
isolationism
militarism
aggressive and authoritarian ideologies
doublethink
survival of the fittest

YES
free travelling
personal freedom
inclusive thinking
multiculturalism
learning how to ask questions
freedom from abuse and inequality
helping those who cannot help themselves
refugees are the new Europeans

 

“Refugees In” lyrics:

Met in Europe by razor wires,
Governments here fucking liars
Desperate people who need to flee
Seeking refuge by land and sea
Push for borders, get no peace
Fuck the police like we’re in Greece

Cage me in cage me out
Refugees in, nazis out
Governments here should feel the shame
Fucking liars, you’re to blame

Fuck the police
Like we are in Greece
Destroy piece by piece
This conservative disease

Huff and puff and smash it up
Burst, blast, blow it up
Cage me in cage me out
Refugees in, nazis out
Governments here should feel the shame
Fucking liars, you’re to blame

Cage me in cage me out
Refugees in, nazis out
Governments here, should feel the shame,
Fucking liars, you’re to blame
You’re to blame

Cage me in cage me out
Refugees in, nazis out
Governments here, should feel the shame,
Fucking liars, you’re to blame
You’re to blame

Cage me in cage me out
Refugees in, nazis out
Governments here, should feel the shame,
Fucking liars, you’re to blame
You’re to blame

Bombing people out of homes
We want peace, not fucking drones
Push, push borders away!
Push borders, do it today!
Human beings –
not a swarm Injustice –
government norm

Cage me in cage me out
Refugees in, nazis out
Governments here, should feel the shame,
Fucking liars, you’re to blame
You’re to blame

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