Issue and Opponent: In Ukraine in 2011, Kirill I was the patriarch of the Russian Orthodox Church. He represented the repressiveness of the Russian Orthodox Church towards women. FEMEN believes that religion and freedom cannot coincide– religion is moral persecution that leads women into slavery. Kirill I also had close ties with Putin, who was seen to be illegally re-elected.
Dilemma Action: After a tainted election to the Russian State Duma, three topless activists dressed only in floral garlands demonstrated in front of the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour in Moscow. They chanted “May God drive away the Tsar!” while flagellating themselves. An activist with FEMEN also claimed “We support (the Russian opposition), you are great, you should go all the way, you will succeed as we did in Ukraine. You will do the same, and you will be able to resist.” Bystanders and guards tried to cover the girls as they continued chanting.
Outcomes: Security guards detained some of the women participating in this event. There is no evidence that concessions were made nor is there evidence that punishment was issued to the activists. Over 45,000 people in Moscow alone have pledged to join fresh protests against the rule of Putin. A group called the Pussy Riot also took to the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour to protest.