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LIBERATION
DAY
BENEFIT [July
4, 2001] |
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ANIMAL MUKTI
"If you love somebody set them free" – Sting
Sharon Gannon (co-Director of Jivamukti Yoga Center) and Janet Rienstra (Meta Records) have formed an organization called Animal Mukti (Mukti means liberation in Sanskrit) in order to raise awareness for the 40,000 cats and dogs euthanized in New York City each year and take positive action to end these needless deaths by:
• promoting adoption of unwanted pets as an admirable and beneficial act for both pets and their human friends
• creating a free spay and neuter program at the Humane Society of New York as a bold effort to reduce the huge numbers of unwanted and uncared for animals.Each year the city of New York euthanizes 40,000 cats and dogs, but this is only the tip of the iceberg. It has been estimated that 100,000 unloved pets are killed each year through neglect, abandonment, and abuse in New York City.
To realize our goal of implementing these programs, we hosted an evening in the exotic temple-like atmosphere of the Jivamukti Yoga Center, featuring a light champagne dinner and desserts, and a fashion show with high-profile celebrity models who did more than walk the runway. The show was emcee'd by David Life and Christy Turlington on September 7, 1999, kicking off New York's Fashion Week. The event featured a silent auction of the outfits shown and donated by leading and up and coming new designers. The theme of our show was "Set Them Free", with designs that were animal-friendly and which did not involve exploitation or cruelty to animals. All proceeds went to the Humane Society of New York's Animal Mukti program.
Stationed at our entry hall were spokespeople from animal rights organizations such as Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals), Friends in Deed (FIDO), and the Humane Society of New York who provided educational material to deepen the awareness and understanding of the issues involved central to our cause.
Our exciting mix of established and up and coming designers included: Jill Anderson, Alpana Bawa, APC, Oleg Cassini, Oscar de la Renta, Gucci, Elisa Jiminez, Betsey Johnson, Donna Karan, Christina Kim/Dosa, Pilar Limosner, Josephine Loka, Stella McCartney, Issey Miyake, Montgomery, Hayley Mortison, Matt Nye, Todd Oldham, Cynthia Rowley, Russell Simmons/Phat Farm, Darbury Stenderu, and Versace.
The clothes were modeled by high profile personalities as well as professional models: Jessica Alexander, Marc Anthony, Dana Bryant, Mike D, Tanya Eggers, Alexandra Ford Balazs, Kathy Freston, David Life, Trudie Styler, Owen Taylor, Callie Thorne, Dechen Thurman, Christy Turlington, Yogis from JYC, Wilhemina and Ford models, and adoptable dogs from the Humane Society. Robert Thurman and Umar Bin Hassan of The Last Poets also spoke at the event.
In the past several years, the people of New York have experienced betterment in their quality of living. It is time to extend this right to the animals of our city as well. We hope that you will participate and lend your support.
Visit the Humane Society of the U.S. Visit Our Sponsor -- Meta Records Read press from the Animal Mukti Fashion Show & Benefit Auction
Click to see the whole picture
Agata & "Betsy"
Betsey & Lulu Johnson
Christy Turlington
Sting
Grand Finale
Mike D, Willem Dafoe, & Michael Stipe
