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PETA's 25th Anniversary Gala and Humanitarian Awards Show was a tremendous success that saw caring individuals from around the globe gather on a beautiful Hollywood night to celebrate PETA's 25 years of groundbreaking work for animals. More than 2,000 PETA supporters filled Paramount Studios' "New York Street" back lot for the celebration that featured top-notch entertainment and the country's best vegan cuisine.
Hosted by comedian Fred Willard and longtime PETA pal Pamela Anderson, the gala paid tribute to outstanding activists and celebrities who have worked hard to promote the rights of animals through PETA campaigns. PETA Humanitarian Awards were presented to Casey Affleck (his award was accepted by Joaquin Phoenix), Marc Bouwer, Lauren Shuler Donner and Richard Donner, John Feldmann, Heather Mills McCartney, Moby, Martina Navratilova, Ravi Shankar, P!nk, and Persia White. Special honorees Alec Baldwin and Morrissey received the Linda McCartney Memorial Award, which was established in 1999 in honor of Linda McCartney, who was a longtime animal rights activist and supporter of PETA. Additionally, the Nanci Alexander Activist Award was presented to Nathan Runkle, the Matthew Eyton Activist Award was presented to Dr. Steven Gross, and PETA Activist Awards were presented to graphic designers Hilly Beavan and Anthony Lawrence, who have shaped the look of PETA's iconic ad campaigns for more than two decades, and attorney Philip J. Hirschkop, who has led PETA to victory in many of its groundbreaking court cases on behalf of animals.
 Also in attendance were PETA friends Jamie Lee Curtis, Roselyn Sanchez, Sean Astin, Alyssa Milano, Swoosie Kurtz, Jillian Barbarie, and Esai Morales.
In the wake of Hurricane Katrina, items from Pamela Anderson, John McEnroe, Stella McCartney, and others were sold in a silent auction to benefit PETA's Animal Emergency Fund, which supports PETA's aggressive work with local media outlets to advise residents not to abandon their animals during natural disasters and to provide them with vital information to keep their companion animals safe during storms. Among the items auctioned off for the Fund were a walk-on part on Anderson's TV show, Stacked, autographed tennis rackets from McEnroe and Martina Navratilova, and cruelty-free items from McCartney's fashion collection.
Before the show, guests kicked up their heels to the Hollywood jazz band The Pat Longo Orchestra, which entertained with classic swing tunes. Meanwhile, The Mutaytor, a "part hip-grinding techno/retro-funk, part audience-interactive post-modern circus" thrilled the crowd with street parades and fire-spinners.
 During the show, guests were treated to a special performance by the band Polyphonic Spree, which got the party moving with its hit "Light & Day."
We'd especially like to thank the sponsors of PETA's 25th Anniversary Gala and the gala's food and beverage donors for making this a truly once-in-a-lifetime event.
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