Rhythms of resistance

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Israeli ROR in mass demo against the separation fence in Bil'in

Rhythms of Resistance or just RoR is a network of percussion bands that play at demonstrations and direct actions that fall within the broad definition of 'anti-capitalist'. Since RoR London was formed in 2000, various sister-bands throughout Europe (and even the rest of the world) have been spawned, not always sharing the same name, but mostly the same ideology.

The RoR-bands are often referred to as the 'samba-bands', yet this is an inadequate term since lots of instruments are taken from this Brazilian musical genre, but the rhythms take all forms. They consist of a fluid number of members from all walks of life. Their interest is 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 and exploit the planet and mankind.

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 Ilê Aiyê 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 Meeting in Prague in September 2000. A Pink and Silver carnival bloc, focused around a 55 piece band, detached itself from a march of 67.000 and outmanoeuvered 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 were forming, playing the same rhythms and with the same approach. The Amsterdam band formed in 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 two in the U.S. and one in Mexico), 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.