Cultures of Resistance

Marcelo Yuka was the drummer in the reggae-rock band O Rappa. The group was gaining fame in Rio de Janeiro for its genre-blending music, which brought attention to the city’s acute social problems. But in 2000 Yuka was caught in the middle of an attempted robbery, during which he was shot nine times and left a paraplegic. Due to his disability, Yuka could no longer play in the band. However, the injury did not divert his focus on social justice or prevent him from speaking out against state violence. Since then, Yuka has supported various grassroots movements, including those protesting the world’s biggest arms expo, which was held in his hometown in 2009. Yuka says, “It’s no coincidence that it’s in Rio de Janeiro, a state that has all of us under crossfire.” In this short film, Cultures of Resistance talks to Yuka about his ongoing activism. Of his politics, he says, “Activism is not only made up of grand acts, it is also made up of small acts. And this should be ongoing, as a part of life.”

Marcelo's Work

Yuka's activism has been defined by speaking out against the human rights violations of law enforcement and government in Brazil.

Some of his current projects include:
• Recording and producing his first solo album, which he is excited to release in Brazil and internationally.
• Two radical news TV program projects, Cultures of Peace and Disturbance, currently in
negotiations with various Brazilian TV networks.
• Yuka has been confirmed to be participating in this year's Rock in Rio! The festival will take place September 24th, 2011. Follow this link to find out more!

Yuka often discusses issues of social justice with audiences across Brazil. His public speaking engagements address issues such as love as a tool for social transformation, human rights education as a means of combating violence, and culture as the protagonist in the construction of citizenship. You can read more about his lectures by clicking here.

You can contact Marcelo Yuka and learn more about his work through:
Fernando Barakat
Plan B Productions
(Brazil) 55-11-4726-8715
(Brazil) 55-11-7713-1621
fernandoplanob@uol.com.br