Thank you for signing up to read the names of the children killed by Israel’s genocide in Gaza or to help run the event. This will be a solemn and, aside from the readings, a silent occasion; for many of us, especially readers, a deeply emotional one too. We are sending this to give you some help to prepare.
Information specific for readers starts here and for helpers starts here. Practice names are here and an audio file going through these names is here.
The list we have has been sent to us by people in Bath (throughthecracks.co.uk) who have held a similar event. They in turn sourced it from data.techforpalestine.org.
General information
Start and finish time
We will be starting at six in the morning on September 5th and we will finish with a ceremony at midnight. It is highly unlikely we will finish this list, which contains over 17000 names, even after 18 hours of reading. We have decided not to try to complete the list by extending the reading period because we would like the readings to be witnessed and we feel we would not get witnesses beyond midnight. We feel that a ceremony to mark an end point and to hold our solidarity with Palestinian people will be a meaningful place to stop.
What to bring
- Please wear red or an item of red clothing
- Food and water if you are staying for a while but we are outside the station so food and water will be readily available in case you forget.
- Bring warm clothing if you are going to be there for a long time especially in the evening period
- Bring a chair if you need one.
Readers
What we are asking
Please arrive ten minutes before the half hour in which you are due to read. Depending on the numbers signed up for that time, you will be asked to read for between 5 and 7.5 minutes in that half hour. We cannot say which names you will read – some read slow, some read fast. Please stay for the whole half an hour you have signed up for so those reading will have you, at the very least, as witnesses.
If you cannot attend
Please email spcagainstisraeliapartheid@gmail.com with a subject βRead the names : cancellationβ as soon as possible so we can release your place.
Reading
The names for many of us will be unfamiliar. Some of you will be concerned to give due respect to the people and their loved ones by pronouncing the names well. Please be assured that the most important thing is that you are there, with a compassionate heart and a desire to give remembrance to the children that have been killed and an embrace to their families. Take your time – we are not trying to complete the list we have, just to read as many as we can with respect.
Even so, we have a set of practice names and an audio file available on our website here
We will have amplification equipment so do not worry about projecting your voice. Hold the microphone close your mouth and you will be heard.
Children
We welcome families and ask, should your child wish to read and they are between 11 and 15, that they are supported with you by their side. Under 11s will be welcome to witness as long as they are accompanied.
Helpers
Please arrive ten minutes before you are due to start your shift.
We will need stewards throughout the 18 hour period. We will ask you to do one hour at a time. If you have ticked you are prepared to steward you will be contacted separately and some of your shift or shifts will be allocated to that.
Other tasks will include handing out leaflets to the public information them what we are doing, helping with the Garden of Remembrance or helping readers by adjusting the mic or the music stand , keeping place in the book of names or keeping time. These are intensive and we wont be asking you to do this for long periods.
Witnessing
As important as the readers and helpers are witnesses. Please ask people to come and listen and stand with us as we read the names. If they are coming for any length of time they should bring a chair.
We will be broadcasting live on the internet. We will publish the link nearer the time. Please send this link to your friends and family outside of Sheffield so they can witness live.
We would like as far as we are able for this to be witnessed with silence and contemplation. There will be a βGarden of Remembranceβ that will encourage people attending to sit and reflect. Please bring a potted plant to place in the garden.
Friday rally
We will be asking the Friday rally to descend the steps at the far end of the concourse and be part of and support the reading of names by gathering in silence behind the reader and holding one of both of their hands up, which will be painted red or have a red glove.
Passers-by
Most people going by – to work, to meetings, or social events – will be supportive and moved by what we are doing. They may stop and ask questions or stop and watch. Please welcome them. We will have a leaflet to give more information.
Some might shout abuse and try to initiate a confrontation. We are asking you not to engage with this and we will have people on hand to deal with it. Please help them by following their lead.
Thank you once again for signing up. If you have any questions please email the coalition on spscagainstisraeliapartheid@gmail.com with a subject βRead the name event questionβ
