Rhythms of resistance
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Rhythms of Resistance or just RoR is a percussion band that plays at demonstrations and direct actions that fall within the broad definition of 'anti-capitalist'. They have been around for a good while now and throughout Europe (and even the rest of the world), new sister-bands have been spawned, not always sharing the same name, but mostly the same ideology.
The band, which is often referred to as the 'samba-band' (yet this is an inadequate term since lots of instruments are taken from this Brazilian musical genre but the rhythms take all forms), consists of a fluid number of members from all walks of life who have interest in empowerment for themselves and others, and in maintaining the energy of solidarity and of creative action against the interwoven constructs of those who feel like they need to suppress the humans and other animals on this world.
RoR has quite a lot of affinity with the Afro Bloc parading drum bands that emerged in the mid 70s in Salvador da Bahia in Brazil. Bands such as Ile Aye and Olodum formed as a political expression of black awareness, resisting economic exclusion. Coming out of some of the poorest urban communities, Afro blocs became a mobilising focus on picket lines and marches.
Rhythms of Resistance formed as part of the UK Earth First action against the IMF / World Bank in Prague in September 2000. A Pink and Silver carnival bloc, focused around a 55 piece band, detached itself from a march of 67000 and outmanouvered police resources defending the IMF annual summit. With an international 'black bloc' and a large contingent from the Italian movement, 'Ya Basta', three diverse forms of direct action worked towards a common goal and resulted in the shut down of the IMF summit.
Building on the success of S26, more bands are forming, playing the same rhythms and with the same approach. The Electric Blue band formed in Amsterdam, for the Rising Tide Actions against the Cop6 Climate Conference in November 2000 and joined together with 10 drummers from Rhythms of Resistance to form a 65 piece band.
With bands forming in across Europe and beyond (with at least 2 in the US), an international network of percussive resistance to the march of capitalism is now emerging.
Street carnival is the vital component of their protest and life and fun. Because all of the independent bands are playing the same rhythms, it is easy to catch up with each other when marching in one bloc to a demonstration.
Other UK Radical samba bands:
Oxford Breach of the Peace (Oxford BOP Samba)
Rhythms of Resistance Sheffield Website (http://www.rhythmsofresistancesheffield.org.uk/)
Barking Bateria
Manchester Samba
External Links
- Official Website (http://www.rhythmsofresistance.co.uk)