• The Resistance Revival Chorus is made up of about 70 artists, singers and activists.
• Protest music dates back centuries but the canon of American Protest music has roots in the church hymns slaves sang in their quest for freedom.
• The Resistance Revival Chorus has regular rallies and performances online but is also marching in the streets in song in support of the Black Lives Matter Movement.
• Even chanting and call and response is part of the art form, to attract people to the cause and keep marchers inspired.

"That passion that people perform with tends to do something else it is that X factor that connects people to a lot of different things, in this moment it’s Black lives," said singer Niama Safia Sandy.

"A performance that has the message of a protest in it is the message of a movement. It can crack you open in a different way," added singer Jessi Olsen.

The Chorus was founded three years ago by some of the organizers of The Women’s March. They decided to incorporate music in their activism for the joy it brings and to motivate them to keep going.

The chorus has been singing online during the pandemic but they've also been out in the streets as part of the Black Lives Matter demonstrations.

Chants are part of the music, to sway others and to inspire the group.

"You’re in the March. People are tired, they’re excited about being part of something, but how do you keep them engaged so the chants are a form of art. And the way you say it high, on some your low and some are loud," said singer and education activist Zakiya Ansari.

Protest music dates back centuries to conflicts around the world, but the canon of American protest music has roots in the hymns recited by slaves in their quest for freedom. Protest songs found a new audience during the civil rights era with church spirituals re-written for the movement.

Chorus members say joy is a form of resistance and that there's always joy in music.