OurBrexitTestimonies' book In Limbo
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A powerful not-for-profit collection of testimonies from EU citizens in Brexit Britain is ready to be published as a book to be sold all over Europe. We are asking for your help to raise the £6,000 needed to cover the costs of publication, publicity and of sending as many copies as possible to politicians, journalists and other opinion-makers both in the UK and in Europe. If the book’s sales generate any profits, they will be donated to support the rights of EU citizens in the UK.
Overview
In Limbo: Brexit testimonies from EU citizens in the UK, is a collection of personal accounts contributed by EU citizens living in the UK that reveals the practical and emotional turmoil they have experienced since the 2016 referendum. It aims to give a voice to a sample of the three million who are so often treated in our political discourse as a depersonalised mass of “migrants”. In contrast, it shows them as individuals with life stories that have been interrupted, plunged into limbo, by political events few had anticipated. Organised by volunteers on a not-for-profit basis, this collection of testimonies is a moving and harrowing snapshot of our times with the potential to make an impact on the national discussion.
Background
The project originated when Elena Remigi, an Italian interpreter resident in Britain, felt that the numerous EU voices expressing their distress since the Brexit referendum would have a much more powerful impact if they were gathered together in a collective testimony. She had also realized by then that most people (even politicians) had no idea of the discrimination and uncertainty Europeans in the UK were facing as a result of the Brexit vote. She decided this collection of testimonies needed to be read widely by public and decision-makers alike.
With the help of Tim Sykes, a British editor, she started a Facebook group in March of this year called “Our Brexit Testimonies”. They were joined soon after by Véronique Martin, a French author and academic married to a Brit and in the UK for thirty years, and were also helped in the work by a tireless team of brilliant moderators. Recently, the team was enriched by Anne-Laure Donskoy, the co-creator of the3million, who has given an enormous amount of energy to the fight for EU citizens’ rights in Britain.
In less than a month the group had grown to over 1,000 members. Its atmosphere was carefully nurtured to create a safe and supportive environment as many had difficult and painful stories to share. The candid testimonies that were collected show how real lives have been affected by Brexit. They illustrate the practical difficulties and the profound emotional stress that have been imposed on many people by this new political situation. All the testimonies are shared with the full consent of their givers.
Who is the book for?
The book is aimed at everybody who is interested in or needs to be informed about the true experiences of EU citizens in the UK: members of the public, British family members of EU citizens, journalists, and decision-makers in both British and European politics. We have noticed an astounding level of misinformation across all these groups. We also hope the book will help fight against discrimination and prejudices.
How far are we in our preparations for publishing?
We have now acquired a precious and deeply moving collection of testimonies and it is now our duty to transmit them in the most respectful and powerful way. Our editor has been working on them, keeping their integrity and idiosyncrasies, just correcting typos and tightening them. Our publisher is motivated to try to publish the book by the end of June, all going well, but requires funds to start the work.
Why do we need funding?
Even though we’re all volunteers, our publisher’s team and suppliers have to be paid for their work to produce the actual book, which is why we need your help. What we’re looking for is funding to pay for the cover design, interior design, layout and printing. We also need to cover the cost of buying and sending the book to journalists and decision-makers in the UK and the EU as our book is meant to be, above all, a powerful tool in the fight for EU citizens’ rights in the UK. We already have the warm support of Michel Barnier, the European Commission’s Brexit negotiator-in-chief. He is looking forward to reading our book, and we also aim at sending it to Government Ministers, MPs, MEPs and journalists.
Time is of the essence for us and we really need your help now. The book must be in the hands of politicians negotiating and influencing the shape of Brexit as soon as possible. It must also be read by the British public so they can be touched by our stories and look at us, EU citizens, as fellow human beings forced into an unnecessary and crushing situation. Their political voice and their human support could change so much for all of us.
So, dear supporters, we are asking you to be part of our adventure and of our fight. Your help is very much needed and we are extremely grateful for your vital support in financing the book but also in talking about it when it’s out. Your support can help change the lives of millions of people for the better. We thank you very warmly for your contribution to our important cause.
The team of "Our Brexit testimonies"
A powerful not-for-profit collection of testimonies from EU citizens in Brexit Britain is ready to be published as a book to be sold all over Europe. We are asking for your help to raise the £6,000 needed to cover the costs of publication, publicity and of sending as many copies as possible to politicians, journalists and other opinion-makers both in the UK and in Europe. If the book’s sales generate any profits, they will be donated to support the rights of EU citizens in the UK.
Overview
In Limbo: Brexit testimonies from EU citizens in the UK, is a collection of personal accounts contributed by EU citizens living in the UK that reveals the practical and emotional turmoil they have experienced since the 2016 referendum. It aims to give a voice to a sample of the three million who are so often treated in our political discourse as a depersonalised mass of “migrants”. In contrast, it shows them as individuals with life stories that have been interrupted, plunged into limbo, by political events few had anticipated. Organised by volunteers on a not-for-profit basis, this collection of testimonies is a moving and harrowing snapshot of our times with the potential to make an impact on the national discussion.
Background
The project originated when Elena Remigi, an Italian interpreter resident in Britain, felt that the numerous EU voices expressing their distress since the Brexit referendum would have a much more powerful impact if they were gathered together in a collective testimony. She had also realized by then that most people (even politicians) had no idea of the discrimination and uncertainty Europeans in the UK were facing as a result of the Brexit vote. She decided this collection of testimonies needed to be read widely by public and decision-makers alike.
With the help of Tim Sykes, a British editor, she started a Facebook group in March of this year called “Our Brexit Testimonies”. They were joined soon after by Véronique Martin, a French author and academic married to a Brit and in the UK for thirty years, and were also helped in the work by a tireless team of brilliant moderators. Recently, the team was enriched by Anne-Laure Donskoy, the co-creator of the3million, who has given an enormous amount of energy to the fight for EU citizens’ rights in Britain.
In less than a month the group had grown to over 1,000 members. Its atmosphere was carefully nurtured to create a safe and supportive environment as many had difficult and painful stories to share. The candid testimonies that were collected show how real lives have been affected by Brexit. They illustrate the practical difficulties and the profound emotional stress that have been imposed on many people by this new political situation. All the testimonies are shared with the full consent of their givers.
Who is the book for?
The book is aimed at everybody who is interested in or needs to be informed about the true experiences of EU citizens in the UK: members of the public, British family members of EU citizens, journalists, and decision-makers in both British and European politics. We have noticed an astounding level of misinformation across all these groups. We also hope the book will help fight against discrimination and prejudices.
How far are we in our preparations for publishing?
We have now acquired a precious and deeply moving collection of testimonies and it is now our duty to transmit them in the most respectful and powerful way. Our editor has been working on them, keeping their integrity and idiosyncrasies, just correcting typos and tightening them. Our publisher is motivated to try to publish the book by the end of June, all going well, but requires funds to start the work.
Why do we need funding?
Even though we’re all volunteers, our publisher’s team and suppliers have to be paid for their work to produce the actual book, which is why we need your help. What we’re looking for is funding to pay for the cover design, interior design, layout and printing. We also need to cover the cost of buying and sending the book to journalists and decision-makers in the UK and the EU as our book is meant to be, above all, a powerful tool in the fight for EU citizens’ rights in the UK. We already have the warm support of Michel Barnier, the European Commission’s Brexit negotiator-in-chief. He is looking forward to reading our book, and we also aim at sending it to Government Ministers, MPs, MEPs and journalists.
Time is of the essence for us and we really need your help now. The book must be in the hands of politicians negotiating and influencing the shape of Brexit as soon as possible. It must also be read by the British public so they can be touched by our stories and look at us, EU citizens, as fellow human beings forced into an unnecessary and crushing situation. Their political voice and their human support could change so much for all of us.
So, dear supporters, we are asking you to be part of our adventure and of our fight. Your help is very much needed and we are extremely grateful for your vital support in financing the book but also in talking about it when it’s out. Your support can help change the lives of millions of people for the better. We thank you very warmly for your contribution to our important cause.
The team of "Our Brexit testimonies"
Organizer
Elena Remigi
Organizer