A marathon reading of the autobiography of Frederick Douglass, “The Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass an American Slave," will continue through the weekend.

People had a chance Friday to participate at the University of Rochester’s Rare Books, Special Collections & Preservation at the Rush Rhees Library.

This marathon read is part of the national One Million Abolitionists project of the Frederick Douglass Family Initiative. Assistant dean Jessica Lacher-Feldman read from an 1848 edition of the narrative printed here in Rochester. She says it’s a moving and emotional experience.

"The content is very emotional. It is a very personal narrative of an experience of an enslaved person, eloquently and beautifully written, but achingly painful to hear out loud. It’s brutal and brutalizing," she said.

University of Rochester rising senior Seyvion Scott is among the readers. The Rochester native is majoring in African-American studies. She says Douglass’ words from a hundred years ago are just as relevant today.

"It’s just incredible to think that slaves were not permitted to read and killed for even learning how to read and for Frederick Douglass to be able to learn how to read and to be just an amazing writing and orator, it’s incredible," she said.

This million abolitionist movement is part of an effort to get this bicentennial edition book into the hands of students across the country. Each student reader of any age and at any marathon reading receives a free copy of the book.

There will be another reading on Saturday from noon to 2 p.m. at Phillis Wheatley Community Library, 33 Dr. Samuel McCree Way. There is a family event at this branch library on this day, so lots of young readers will be welcome.

Then on Sunday, a reading will be held at Brighton Memorial Library, 2300 Elmwood Avenue from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. 

The events are open to the public.