Russian protest art-collective Pussy Riot releases the song "Hangerz" (feat. Vic Mensa and Junglepussy), and earlier this month they announced a 19-date headline tour across North America to benefit Planned Parenthood. Tickets are on sale here. Fronted by Pussy Riot founder Nadya Tolokonnikova, the group will kick off their month-long trek in Los Angeles (dates listed below).

Nadya's message about abortions is simple - if you don't like them, then don't have one. It is the universal and basic right of every human to decide what to do with their own body. Abortion bans never work, and throughout history we always see the same pattern, which is that abortion bans only cause a groundswell of illegal procedures that often lead to severe pain, and even death. The purpose of this new track from Pussy Riot and friends is clear: to support access to safe and legal abortion for women everywhere. Initially targeting a specific piece of anti-abortion legislation in Alabama (House Bill 314), which has since been temporarily blocked by a federal judge, Hangerz was performed live at a sold-out live benefit show in Birmingham Alabama on July 11th of this year. The Bill in Alabama intends to ban all abortions in the state except when "abortion is necessary in order to prevent a serious health risk" to the woman, and criminalizes the procedure, reclassifying abortion as a Class A felony, punishable by up to 99 years in prison for doctors. Notably, the legislation makes no exceptions for victims of rape or incest. This is a pivotal moment for the protection of civil liberties, in Alabama and around the country.

Pussy Riot gained international attention when they were imprisoned for 2 years in a Russian jail for performing 35-seconds of a "punk prayer" inside the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour in Moscow. Since their release, they have continued their tireless efforts to stand up against police brutality, and to expose corruption in government. Last year, the European Human Rights Court declared a major victory in favor of Pussy Riot, stating that the Russian government mistreated members of the group by imprisoning them and settled with a large cash sum which Nadya has donated to the aforementioned causes. Pussy Riot represents the power of collective action, and is at the forefront of a worldwide movement that is using popular music to speak truth to power. Hangerz benefits from the contributions of Chicago rapper and Billboard top-artist Vic Mensa, and rising-star New York rapper Junglepussy. This aggressive indie-electronic track showcases the raw power of staying on message about the dangers of a police-state and makes a compelling case that continued access to personal freedom is critical for the long-term health of a modern society.

My body does not need advice from a priest

PUSSY RIOT - US TOUR DATES:

Fri 3.13 - Los Angeles, CA @ 1720 LA
Sat 3.14 - Berkeley, CA @ The UC Theatre
Wed 3.18 - Portland, OR @ Wonder Ballroom
Thu 3.19 - Vancouver, BC @ Fortune Sound Club
Fri 3.20 - Seattle, WA @ Neumos
Tue 3.24 - Denver, CO @ Bluebird Theatre
Thu 3.26 - Chicago, IL @ Metro
Fri 3.27 - Detroit, MI @ El Club
Sat 3.28 - Cleveland, OH @ Grog Shop
Tue 3.31 - Cambridge, MA @ The Sinclair
Thu 4.2 - Brooklyn, NY @ Kings Hall at Avant Gardner
Fri 4.3 - Philadelphia, PA @ Union Transfer
Sat 4.4 - Washington, DC @ 9:30 Club
Wed 4.8 - Atlanta, GA @ Terminal West
Fri 4.10 - Houston, TX @ White Oak Music Hall Downstairs
Sat 4.11 - Dallas, TX @ Trees
Sun 4.12 - Austin, TX @ The Mohawk
Tue 4.14 - Santa Fe, NM @ Meow Wolf
Wed 4.15 - Phoenix, AZ @ The Crescent Ballroom
Tue 5.19 - Toronto, ON @ Phoenix Concert Theatre

Pussy Riot encourages you to come to the performances with posters and banners, and with your face covered - masks, balaclavas, scarfs, anything. Get seen, and get heard. This track is featured on our Groovy Summer playlist.

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