Pussy Riot debuts music video for Eric Garner tribute song

PORTLAND, Ore., Feb. 18 (UPI) -- Pussy Riot debuted a music video for "I Can't Breathe" on Wednesday.

The song is the Russian protest group's first release in English, and a tribute to Eric Garner. The New York resident died at age 43 after being choked by NYPD officer Daniel Pantaleo in July 2014, and told police "I can't breathe" several times before his death. A grand jury chose not to indict Pantaleo in December, sparking demonstrations across the country.

"I Can't Breathe" features Nadya Tolokonnikova and Masha Alyokhina of Pussy Riot, with contributions by Richard Hell, Yeah Yeah Yeahs guitarist Nick Zinner and Miike Snow member Andrew Wyatt. The video was directed by Pussy Riot: A Punk Prayer helmer Max Pozdorovkin and features several of Garner's friends and family members.

"Pussy Riot's first song in English is dedicated to Eric Garner and the words he repeated eleven times before his death," the group wrote in a statement. "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."

Pussy Riot formed in 2011, and consists of Tolokonnikova, Alyokhina and several other members. The group often stages guerrilla performances, and common themes include feminism, LGBT rights and opposition to Russian president Vladimir Putin. Tolokonnikova and Alyokhina served 21 months in prison after being arrested and charged with hooliganism in March 2012.