Russian punk group Pussy Riot gave a lecture at Harvard University last night, but things got really interesting when the activists went to the Cambridge Police Department to investigate the arrest of a person who asked a question during their forum.
That audience member, Roman Torgovitsky, had admitted to being on campus illegally when he posed a question to the group. As he was taken to a nearby police station, Pussy Riot followed and monitored his release.
Here’s word from Channel 7:
A controversial Russian punk band spent the night at the Cambridge Police Department in support of an arrested Harvard graduate.
The two members of the band Pussy Riot hosted a lecture at Harvard when an audience member admitted to being on campus illegally, after having past trouble with police. The man, who was identified by the band as Roman Torgovitsky, was arrested by Harvard University police and the band followed him to the Cambridge Police Department. He was said to be a peaceful protester.
“Our lecture was about freedom,” band member Maria Alyokhina said. “That’s why it was found so strange arresting people in Harvard after, you know, a lecture about freedom in Harvard.” There is no word on what the charges against the suspect are. He was released after some time and he stated that he will be arraigned this morning.
More from an extensive report from boston.com:
According to Torgovitsky, his previous incident with Harvard Police occurred during a performance by Putin-supporting conductor and violinist Vladimir Spivakov, when the graduate decided to express his personal disappointment on stage. In an interview with Boston.com at Monday evening’s event, Torgovitsky explained, “During the concert after I got up on stage, I presented Spivakov a Harvard cap, and also gave a 20-second speech about certain level of disappointment about the fact that he has always been silent with Russian opposition was protesting against freedom of speech.” Torgovitsky was then arrested and charged by both Cambridge and Harvard Police for disorderly conduct, and banned from Harvard property, reported the Crimson.
Last week, we reported that Pussy Riot created their own independent news organization in Russia, called MediaZona. Last night, watchdog group The Voice Project monitored the situation at the Cambridge Police Department.
Peaceful participant at @pussyrrriot's Harvard presentation arrested, we're at police station now! pic.twitter.com/nb0IlPUg4E
— The Voice Project (@thevoiceproject) September 16, 2014
Now our crew and a big team of Harvard students is at the Cambridge PD HQ till Roman Torgovitsky gets released! pic.twitter.com/5KbBrrt2w8
— Pussy Riot (@pussyrrriot) September 16, 2014
Roman Torgovitsky out on bail. Court hearing tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/NrmndJYHQx
— The Voice Project (@thevoiceproject) September 16, 2014
ahh @pussyrrriot…never a dull moment cos they simply never stop kicking ass.
— The Voice Project (@thevoiceproject) September 16, 2014