Readout of Mayor de Blasio's Meeting with Pussy Riot Members Nadya Tolokonnikova and Maria 'Masha' Alekhina

February 7, 2014

CONTACT: pressoffice@cityhall.nyc.gov, (212) 788-2958

Today, Mayor Bill de Blasio and First Lady Chirlane McCray welcomed Pussy Riot members Nadya Tolokonnikova and Maria "Masha" Alekhina to City Hall. The Pussy Riot members told the Mayor and First Lady about their mission to put in place an independent, objective monitoring system in Russia's prisons and raise standards and conditions of prisoners there.  Mayor de Blasio reaffirmed his support and admiration for Tolokonnikova and Alekhina, and expressed his commitment to working with them in the future to help facilitate visits to local correctional facilities as part of their effort for prison reform in Russia. As former activists, the Mayor and First Lady commended Tolokonnikova and Alekhina on their bravery and courage to expose human rights abuses in Russia and stand up for Democratic reforms and freedom of speech, and told them that they are always welcome in New York City.