In America this past week, the term “free speech” has been tossed around a lot in regards to the political leanings of fast food chain Chick-Fil-A, so I thought it was high time to shed a little light on people who are fighting for more than the right to enjoy an ethically dubious chicken sandwich in peace (which is not actually a right, for those keeping track.) The story I’ve been all but consumed by (like a Twi-hard hungry for the latest on R-Patz’s broken heart) is the Free Pussy Riot.

If not you’re not familiar, I’ll get you up to speed: Pussy Riot, a Russian feminist punk collective, formed last year as a response to Putin’s third (and ultimately successful) presidential run. Speaking to Vice in February, Pussy Riot member Serafima explained the motivation behind the group’s formation:

Right, and at that point we realized that this country needs a militant, punk-feminist, street band that will rip through Moscow’s streets and squares, mobilize public energy against the evil crooks of the Putinist junta and enrich the Russian cultural and political opposition with themes that are important to us: gender and LGBT rights, problems of masculine conformity, absence of a daring political message on the musical and art scenes, and the domination of males in all areas of public discourse.

The group, which includes about ten performers and the additional help of those who document and record their protests, knew from the beginning what they were up against, adopting pseudonyms and wearing balaclavas to protect their identities. This is a terrifyingly necessary precaution considering how many journalists have died under mysterious circumstances while Putin has been in power.

Pussy Riot’s M.O. focuses on flash concerts that take place in culturally significant places (never designated music venues) like the rooftop of a detention center and Red Square, where members of the group were arrested but ultimately freed. However, it was after their February performance at the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour that shit got real. Footage of the concert (which lasted about a minute) shows members of Pussy Riot performing “Punk Prayer”, which implores the Virgin Mary to become a feminist and join in their fight against Putin, as they were forcibly removed from the altar (a space reserved for male priests).

Three alleged Pussy Riot members were arrested in March for the incident and charged with “hooliganism” (yeah, seriously). The defendants (Maria Alyokhina, Nadezhda Tolokonnikova and Yekaterina Samutsevich) are still being detained, despite the nonviolent nature of the offense and having young children at home. If they are found guilty, the women each face up to seven years in prison.

To understand what Pussy Riot is fighting against, perhaps the simplest explanation can be found working backwards and starting with the fact that protesting itself caused such a stir. The status quo is alive and well in Russia – after two terms as president, Putin served as Prime Minister (the Constitution of Russia prevented him from serving three consecutive terms) before running for the presidency again in 2012. There was no particular threat that once Putin announced his candidacy he wouldn’t win the election. The current system, between lucrative bribes accepted by officials and the systematic silencing of opposition press, protects the powers that be and provides little hope for progressive political change.

As the trial, which began July 30th, plays out, the message of Pussy Riot continues to gain momentum. Supporters both in Russia and across the globe (including members of the Riot Grrrl movement that helped inspire Pussy Riot-like Sleater-Kinney’s Corin Tucker and musical heavyweights such as Patti Smith) are spreading the word and participating in D.I.Y. fundraising efforts like selling handmade “Free Pussy Riot” t-shirts. Petr Pavlensky, a Russian artist, even sewed his mouth shut in protest.

In the song “Putin Got Scared,” Pussy Riot proclaims:

Discontent with the culture of male hysteria
Wild leaderism devours brains
The Orthodox religion of a hard penis
Patients are asked to accept conformity

The regime heads toward censorship of dreams
The time has come for subversive clashing
A pack of bitches from the sexist regime
Begs forgiveness of a feminist wedge.

I’m sure that if Putin feels threatened by the Pussy Riot, he’ll never indicate it publicly (we’re talking about a man with a section of his Wikipedia page devoted to his public attempts to seem as macho as possible.) His statements on the matter urge leniency in women’s punishment, though the sentiment feels like a hollow attempt to save face amidst criticism for the harsh nature of the imprisonment and potential sentencing. Putin can schedule all the “manly” photo ops he wants, from shooting tigers with tranquilizer guns to piloting fighter jets, but stomping out an idea? Well, that would take more strength than he’s got.

Written by Tricia Gilbride