Local Pussy Riot supporter ends hunger strike after 10 hours

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — A University of Michigan sophomore ended her 10-hour hunger strike Friday morning. 19-year-old Alyssa Quinn said in a written statement that she was compelled to eat something because of extreme weakness and “concerned pleas from [Quinn’s roommate] Cassie to try the yummy blueberry muffins she had just baked.” Quinn said she hopes her hunger strike helped to bring attention to the plight of Pussy Riot, the Russian punk band, many of whose members are languishing in prison for convictions of hooliganism. Quinn warned Russian President Vladimir Putin that she’ll attempt another hunger strike this weekend if the members of Pussy Riot are not immediately released.