Young Musicians Stand Up to Power with Banned Songs

In Russia, a group of young street musicians called Stoptime has become a symbol of resistance. They played a song that the government doesn't like, and now they're facing consequences. The song, "Swan Lake Cooperative" by Noize MC, is banned in Russia. It doesn't mention President Vladimir Putin or the war in Ukraine directly, but the government says it's dangerous.

The band's singer, Diana Loginova, is only 18 years old. She believes in the power of music to challenge authority. After their performance on a busy street in St. Petersburg, other young musicians started playing similar songs in cities like Moscow and Yekaterinburg. Some of them have also been arrested.

The Russian government is cracking down on any form of protest. Public dissent is rare, and those who speak out often face long prison sentences. Loginova has already served one 13-day sentence and was fined for singing another banned song. Her bandmates, Alexander Orlov and Vladislav Leontyev, have also been jailed.

A former opposition politician, Maxim Reznik, thinks the government's efforts to suppress these performances won't work. He believes a new generation is emerging, one that won't accept the current situation without a fight. The will to resist, he says, is strong.