Pussy Riot played Banksy's 'Dismaland' (pics, video) which is now closed; building materials given to refugee camp

photos by Vianney Le Caer

Pussy Riot @ Dismaland, 9/25/2015

You may have heard about Banksy‘s “bemusement park,” Dismaland, which was open in Somerset, UK and just closed its monthlong run. In addition to many large-scale installations, the “family theme park unsuitable for children” also hosted live music performances on Fridays, including Run the Jewels, De La Soul, and Damon Albarn. The final Friday (9/25) hosted Pussy Riot whose theatrical performance, created with The Connor Brothers, involved a riot between police and activists, with the band performing from a cage (something they know about). Their performance, and specifically new song “Refugees In,” comments on the current hot-button issue of the millions of migrants seeking asylum in Europe, the largest number since World War II. As John Oliver noted on the most recent Last Week Tonight, these migrants are facing hostility, racism, and red tape. Pussy Riot offer solidarity with the refugees:

Regardless of ones political views we have a moral duty to offer refuge to people fleeing war and persecution. We recognize the challenge faced by Europe in accepting hundreds of thousands of displaced people, but this is more than a political challenge – it is a humanitarian crisis and as such we must act together and rise to the challenge. Having experienced persecution during the 2 years we spent in a Russian prison and repeated incidents of attack by Russian authorities we feel solidarity with those who suffer under oppressive regimes, and believe we have a moral duty to press governments into developing a united and comprehensive plan that puts humanity before politics.”

Dismaland, now closed, is currently being dismantled with the timbre and fixtures being donated to a refugee camp in Calais, France. You can check out more pics, as well as video, from Pussy Riot’s Dismaland performance, below.

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