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STORY: Two members of the Russian punk band Pussy Riot took to a New York stage on Wednesday evening (February 5) to demand the release of anti-government prisoners as Russia prepares to open the Winter Olympics in Sochi.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has staked his reputation on the Sochi Games. But Russia has come under pressure by human rights activists in the months leading up to the games for its intolerance of political dissent and a law passed last year banning promotion of homosexuality among minors.

"Russia will be free!," chanted Pussy Riot's Nadezhda Tolokonnikova and Maria Alyokhina as they appeared on stage after being introduced by Madonna.

Their appearance was part of Amnesty International's "Bringing Human Rights Home" concert which included celebrities and human rights activists like Bob Geldof and Yoko Ono.

The case of Pussy Riot, in particular, had spark