Topless protest in Ukraine and protests in UK and Germany in support of Pussy Riot

(17 Aug 2012) PROTESTORS ACROSS EUROPE SHOW THEIR SUPPORT FOR PUSSY RIOT Feminist protesters supporting the Russian punk band, Pussy Riot, staged a topless protest in the Ukrainian capital of Kiev on Friday (17 AUG), using a chainsaw to cut down a large crucifix in the city's main square. Organizers of protests in more than three dozen cities around the world are hoping thousands will turn out to give their backing to Pussy Riot, the Russian provocateurs who were found guilty of hooliganism motivated by religious hatred on Friday (17 Aug.) and are facing sentencing in Moscow later in the day. Femen, a Ukrainian protest group, has gained prominence for staging topless protests against all kinds of political and social problems - from the shortage of hot water to women's rights in the Muslim world to domestic pension reforms. But critics say Femen members are more interested in self-promotion than real reform, and that their antics are often tacky and undermine the cause of their protests. Several hundred protesters gathered in front of the Russian embassy in Berlin. Protesters, some of them wearing colorful masks, demanded the three be released and chanted slogans in support of the democratic movement in Russia. "I remember the times when we were in opposition in the GDR (German Democratic Republic - former East Germany), the signs from other countries were very, very important," said former East German dissident Marianne Birthler, who joined the protest in the centre of Berlin. "We know that what we are doing is recognized and there are people who are willing to support us and who follow what happens to us. That's the reason we are here now," Birthler added. In London protestors gathered at The Royal Court Theater in Sloan Square. The peaceful gathering consisted of readings in support of the band. Three women in the band, Nadezhda Tolokonnikova, Maria Alekhina and Yekaterina Samutsevich, have been in jail for more than five months because of a guerrilla performance denouncing President Vladimir Putin in Moscow's main cathedral, and face a maximum seven years in jail. The trial on charges of hooliganism motivated by religious hatred has attracted worldwide attention as an emblem of Russia's intolerance of dissent. Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter:   / ap_archive   Facebook:   / aparchives   ​​ Instagram:   / apnews   You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/you...