International Solidarity for Human Rights Read for Rights

Promoting education, understanding and respect for human rights, six very brave members of the International Solidarity for Human Rights- The New Generation, have succeeded in their record quest for the 'Longest Marathon Reading Aloud By a Team.'

The record attempt began November 3rd at the InterAmerican Campus of Miami Dade College and culminated on Guinness World Records Day, November 12th. Guinness World Records adjudicator, Mariamarta Ruano-Graham, was on hand to validate the feat.

The six women, Elizabeth Sánchez Vegas, Ana María Leonardi, María Cristina Alarcón, Lilly Blanco, Devorah Sasha and Isabel Viera read their way into the record books, reading for 240 hours 15 min 27 sec, all of which was streamed live here on our website.

They took turns reading the Universal Declaration of Human Rights both in English and in Spanish.

 Check out their preparation for the record attempt!

For more information on this record attempt, please see below press release:

PRESS RELEASE

Words Take Flight in a Guinness World Records® Record-Breaking Attempt at Miami Dade College, During an Official Event of the Miami Book Fair International

Miami, November 3 - 12, 2009 – On Tuesday morning, November 3, six women will begin a 10-day reading marathon in an attempt to break a Guinness World Records® record, while promoting education, understanding and respect for human rights.

Members of International Solidarity for Human Rights -The New Generation, seek to set a new record for “Longest Reading Aloud Marathon by a Team” while reading the 30 Articles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, repeatedly for over 224 hours at the InterAmerican Campus of Miami Dade College.  Article 1: We are all born free and equal.  Perhaps in the U.S., we are all aware that we have rights.  Do you know how many?  Are you familiar with what exactly your rights are?

In 1948, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was adopted and proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly.  It has since been translated into over 360 languages and described by the Guinness Book of Records as the “Most Translated Document” in the world.  Nonetheless, only 5 percent of the world’s population is aware that the Universal Declaration for Human Rights exists and a mere 1 percent has actually read it.

“We estimate that during our attempt, the 30 Articles of this extraordinary document will be repeated about 1200 times.  With a 24 hour international audience via the internet, our goal is not only to set a new reading record, but to reach millions of people who otherwise wouldn’t be aware of their intrinsic rights,” says Elizabeth Sanchez Vegas, founder of International Solidarity of Human Rights.

Ten Days Cohabiting
To comply with the guidelines of the Guinness World Records, the team must remain on the premises for the entire length of the attempt.  The six women team will be living in Conference Room 401.  A space of approximately 300 square feet will be blocked off to accommodate comfortable living, sleeping and eating quarters.  Also, by mandate of the Guinness World RecordsTM, the entire event area will remain open for public and media viewing 24/7.

The Women
Elizabeth Sanchez Vegas: Founder of ISHR / Former TV News Anchor
Devorah Sasha: International Songstress
Ana Maria Leonardi: Visual Artist / Art Instructor, Coral Springs Museum
Lilly Blanco: Marketing & Design Consultant / Multi-media Artist

Isabel Viera: Radio Personality / Actress / Founder of Profunda, Exilio Productions & DeVarona Group
Maria Cristina Alarcon: Journalist / Author
This event is produced in memory of Eleanor Roosevelt and in honor of The New Generation.

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Media Contacts
Elizabeth Sanchez Vegas (786)301-3019 / esv@ishrights.org
Lilly Blanco (786)280-2282 / lb@ishrights.org

Event Location
Miami Dade College
InterAmerican Campus - Room 401
627 SW 27th Avenue
Miami, FL  33135

3 November 2009

WATCH THE ATTEMPT - LIVE!