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who we are
Rhythms of Resistance is a drum band that plays at demonstrations and direct actions that fall within the broad definition of 'anti-capitalist'. From Prague to Barcelona to Holland to France to good old Blighty, we've been around for a good while now and have spawned various 'sister-bands' throughout Europe and, indeed, the world.
We consist of a fluid number of members from all walks of life who have an 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 of this beautiful planet.
A selsection of Recent Actions:
- Solidarity ith RoR Mexico
- Ethical Corporation Conference 2004
- Iraqi Procurements 2004
- Campsfield Detention Centre, Nov 2003
- Fuck Bush demos, London - Nov 2003
- Wormwood Scrubs Free the Yarl's Wood Three, London - Sept 2003
- Against the Occupations Of Iraq and Palestine, London - Sept 2003
- Shut down DSEi arms fair, London - Sept 2003
- Evian demo, France - Summer 2003
- Various Anti-War demos, London - March 2003
- International Women's Day, London - March 2003
- Anti-War demo, London - Feb 15th 2003
Whilst people often refer to us as a 'Samba Band' we actually have more affinity with the Afro Bloc parading drum bands that emerged in the mid 70s in Salvadore, Bahia in Brazil. Bands such as Ile Aye and Olodum formed as a politcal 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.
As they put it, they played as "a force of resistance and source of self confidence". The growth of Schools of Samba both in Brazil and all over the world since the 80's, is largely a result of the commercialisation of this culture of resistance.
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 (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 protest and life and fun - use your imaginations, connect and network, build instruments and costumes, learn our tunes and distribute them noisily through the world!!
CONTACT: info@rhythmsofresistance.co.uk
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