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Video: Pussy Riot's First English Song Is Eric Garner Tribute "I Can't Breathe"

By

Ben Yakas

Published Feb 18, 2015

Modified Feb 18, 2015

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By

Ben Yakas

Published Feb 18, 2015

Modified Feb 18, 2015

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Russian protest group/band Pussy Riot have released their first English language song, a tribute to Staten Island choking victim Eric Garner. The single, "I Can't Breathe," includes legendary NYC art-rocker Richard Hell reading Garner's last words at the climax of the song, which is a slice of PJ Harvey-sounding electronic blues.

"This song is for Eric and for all those from Russia to America and around the globe who suffer from state terror—killed, choked, perished because of war and state sponsored violence of all kinds—for political prisoners and those on the streets fighting for change. We stand in solidarity," they wrote in a statement.

In the video (above), Pussy Riot's Masha and Nadya are buried alive in the Russian riot police uniforms worn during the violent attacks on protesters fighting for change in Russia. "Illegal violence in the name of the state kills not only its victims, but those who are chosen to carry out these actions,” the group said of the video in a statement to BuzzFeed. "Policemen, soldiers, agents, they become hostages and are buried with those they kill, both figuratively and literally."

They also released a second video which is made up of footage from various Garner protests from the winter. Watch that one below.

The song, which was recorded in December in NY, also includes Nick Zimmer of Yeah Yeah Yeah's on guitar. Read the full lyrics below:

He's become his death The spark of the riots That's the way he's blessed To stay alive.

It never leads to an end
It's never getting quiet
If it's unfair, my friend,
Make up your mind

It's getting dark in New York city
It's getting dark in New York city
It's getting tight in New York city
I need to catch my breath

You know this world of hate
You know this stubborn light
They're in the prayers you pray
Late at night

We're only half way down
Who dares to take a breath?
Some fairness might be found
From ashes of his death.

[Eric Garner's last words, read by Richard Hell:]

Get away [garbled] for what? Every time you see me, you want to mess with me. I'm tired of it. It stops today. Why would you...? Everyone standing here will tell you I didn't do nothing. I did not sell nothing. Because everytime you see me, you want to harass me. You want to stop me [garbled] Selling cigarettes. I'm minding my business, officer, I'm minding my business. Please just leave me alone. I told you the last time, please just leave me alone. please please, don't touch me. Do not touch me. [garbled] I can't breathe. I can't breathe. I can't breathe. I can't breathe. I can't breathe. I can't breathe. I can't breathe. I can't breathe. I can't breathe.

Tagged

eric garner

Music

pussy riot

Ben Yakas

Ben Yakas is a former Gothamist reporter.

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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations

Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations

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