"Since the Seattle raid, the globe has been swept with outrage when the Russian activists Pussy Riot were jailed for similar expressions of their freedom of speech. Especially here in America, observers found the punitive role of Putin and the corruption of the Russian justice system to be intolerable. Many notables, from human rights groups to the rock star Madonna, stood up for the punk band with the rallying cry "Free Pussy Riot!"

But in contrast, what is happening in our own back yard in Seattle has received almost no reporting, and no protest, not any similar outrage. They may not have ad ready symbols, like colourful masks and punk music, but the three activists now in prison are our very own Pussy Riot - America.