On February 11 and 12, 2013, Paris City Council will have the opportunity to make Nadejda Tolokonnikova, Ekaterina and Maria Samoutsevitch Alekhina, jailed members of the band Pussy Riot, honorary citizens of Paris, France. The motion will be brought forward by Denis Baupin and is supported by other members of the Paris Green Party.

In light of Russia's decision to grant citizenship to infamous French actor, Gerard Depardieu after he decided to leave France this month to avoid paying taxes, it seems only fitting that Paris does the same for these Russian women being persecuted for criticizing Putin!

In August 2012, the world protested as Pussy Riot was sentenced to two years in prison in a Russian labour camp for "hooliganism" and "incitement of religious hatred" after criticizing Putin during a concert in February in a Moscow cathedral. Two of the three members of this group are still detained in camps in Mordovia (the region where Mr. Depardieu has been given land) and the Urals. Many observers have denounced their conditions of detention and the obvious obstacles to their freedom of expression.

The City of Paris even called for their release last September. Paris now has the chance to go one step further in living up to the values of freedom and human rights by honoring the members of Pussy Riot and expressing support for artists suffering under oppression.

Thank you for signing and sharing this petition and supporting the City of Paris in granting Nadejda Tolokonnikova, Ekaterina and Maria Samoutsevitch Alekhina honorary citizenship.

**This is an English translation of an identical petition in French found here.