Pussy Riot Members Buried Alive in ‘I Can’t Breathe’ Tribute to Police Victim Eric Garner

pussy riot i can't breathe

 

Russian band Pussy Riot has just released a new song and video. It’s their first song in English. It’s called ‘I Can’t Breathe‘, and is a tribute to police victim Eric Garner, who was murdered by police in Staten Island, New York last year.

The Pussy Riot video of ‘I Can’t Breathe‘ is simple, showing nothing more than band members Nadya Tolokonnikova and Masha Alyokhina lying in a shallow grave and being buried alive. Once they’re completely covered with dirt, the song ends with American singer-songwriter and political activist Richard Hell reading Eric Garner’s last words.

Get away [garbled] for what? Every time you see me, you want to mess with me. I’m tired of it. It stops today. Why would you…? Everyone standing here will tell you I didn’t do nothing. I did not sell nothing. Because everytime you see me, you want to harass me. You want to stop me [garbled] Selling cigarettes. I’m minding my business, officer, I’m minding my business. Please just leave me alone. I told you the last time, please just leave me alone. please please, don’t touch me. Do not touch me. [garbled] I can’t breathe. I can’t breathe. I can’t breathe. I can’t breathe. I can’t breathe. I can’t breathe. I can’t breathe. I can’t breathe. I can’t breathe.

In the video notes, among other things, Pussy Riot says:

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.

And yes, it’s powerful.

 

About Michelle Topham

I'm a Brit-American journalist, former radio DJ at 97X WOXY, and Founder/CEO of Leo Sigh. I'm also obsessed with music, anime, manga, and K-dramas. Help!