Who We Are:

Rhythms of Resistance Toronto is a political samba band that plays for environmental and social justice. We oppose all forms of oppression and use music to demonstrate our opposition and show solidarity with struggles for justice. We are a non-hierarchical collective that is queer positive, anti-colonial, feminist, anti-capitalist, against racism and ableism. We believe everyone is musical.  Using samba for social change and through our community norms we create the world we want to see.

Here’s a sample: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=RKR1atTluCw#!

We’re looking for new members:

- who can come to our 3 hour practice once a week, in the Spadina/College St. area

- who are interested in playing for environmental and social justice and participating in social movement repertoires in Toronto (and elsewhere) – i.e. playing in rallies, marches, demonstrations, fundraisers and varied creative actions for change

- who are activists/community organizers that want to play music; or muscians that want to get more politically active…and anyone inbetween

Our next orientation for new folks will be:  Thursday October 6, 2011, 6-9pm

For details, please send a short email explaining why you want to get involved with RoR Toronto, at: rortoronto@gmail.com

Join Us …We Have Everything To Play For!

JOIN RHYTHMS OF RESISTANCE FOR MAY DAY – DANCING BLOC!

When: Sunday May 1, 2011 – meet at 12:45pm
Where: Meet at corner of Queen St. W and Landsdowne (in front of
Scotiabank) to meet the purple dancing bloc (march starts at 1pm!)

Why?
On this International Workers Day, May 1st, join the tens of thousands
of people across North America and millions across the planet as we
pour onto the streets. Workers waged and unwaged, migrants with and
without status. We refuse to be silent in the face of deepening
austerity, job losses, environmental destruction, imperialist wars and
corporate greed.  The 6th annual May Day of Action in Toronto is
demanding Status For All!
See: http://toronto.nooneisillegal.org/

What?
RoR is bringing hundreds of homemade shakers for you so you can play with us!
We are calling all dancers, artists and creative people to dance and
shake with us in the streets – as we demand Status for All!
Where something purple, bring your dancing shoes and your own homemade
shaker (or take one of ours)!
Bring your friends, energy, and visions for a different world!
Join the purple dancing bloc for May Day!

Let us know you are joining us or if you have any questions by
emailing: rortoronto@gmail.com
[If you are a dance troop and want to work with us more often to
support social movements- please let us know!]

For more information on Rhythms of Resistance (RoR) see:
http://rortoronto.wordpress.com/
See us in action: http://rortoronto.wordpress.com/sights-and-sounds/

RoR Toronto joined a People’s Delegation to the Budget Committee February 10, 2011 in Toronto to Fight the Ford Cuts and demand city council not cut essential social services to the poor and immigrant communities.  While governments around the world are implementing devastating austerity measures ( cutting government budgets and removing social services), these same governments continue to give subsidies to devastating environmental and social projects.  We are starting to see the real costs of the bank bailouts and the influence and control of private interests on our governance system.  All levels of government, including Toronto’s council under the direction of Rob Ford are choosing to put people last.  Making refugee claimants and the homeless stay in motels instead of in shelters where they receive the essential support provided by trained shelter staff.  Privatizing sectors like garbage collection, which will mean less job security for workers and more exploitation of a flexible and temporary work force.  Just some examples of Rob Ford’s Toronto.

Find your local Toronto councillor’s contact here and tell them to stop bailing out the rich and then taking from the poor:
http://app.toronto.ca/wards/jsp/wards.jsp

Rhythms of Resistance joined them in the streets demanding climate and social justice, highlighting the shame felt by people residing within Turtle Island (Canada) for the growth of the devastating Tar Sands industry and its contributions to global climate change and direct impacts on local indigenous peoples downstream.

For further information see Toronto Media Coop story of the action.

Check out EcoSanity’s coverage.

Link to May Day 2010

Toronto
WHO is Barrick Gold?

Barrick is the world’s largest gold mining company, founded and chaired by Peter Munk. Barrick is one of the biggest forces pushing Corporate Social Responsibility as an alternative to government oversight. With a former executive on the board of the Canadian Pension Fund, and a former Prime Minister on their board of directors, Barrick enjoys public funding and diplomative support.

WHY Protest Barrick?

Barrick takes advantage of inadequate and poorly enforced regulatory controls to rob indigenous people of their lands, destroy sensitive ecosystems and agricultural land, support brutal military and security operations, and sue anyone who tries to report on it. Impacted communities are coming to Toronto to share their undeniable perspectives and shed light on this criminal mining giant. Come out and support them!

Link to Protest Barrick

Link to Toronto Star Article about the action