Mercy for Animals presentation of the 2nd annual Sam Simon award by Pamela Anderson (1st recipient)

Drawing by Sam Simon

Photo by John Tracey

Sam
We miss you ...
What an honor it was, to be given the 1st Sam Simon award -
from the man himself.
Just last year -
he was here with us.
Still- He just doesn't feel gone to me.  Awards like this,  will be a consistent reminder of just that...
We will never forget Sam.
Sam was a rebel... genuis -
He was always a caring, generous and talented man..
And - his activism ignited him even more -
And I'm sure extended his life -
his precious, gangster life,
cut too short....
live fast - till the end.
Give it all you got - While you got it.
He went at it with all he had., everything he did...
He was brave - he was unique.
There will never be another Sam.  
This award represents his spirit.
His fiestyness. - his fuck off- ness..
Sam loved for all the right reasons.  He was a friend, with no strings attached.
To love without attachment is truly Inspiring -
There is so much to mention -
but just a reminder.
How Sam's such strong support of Mercy For Animals, PETA, Last Chance for Animals and Sea Shepherd has literally changed the world... He flew long distances when he was sick to Japan and with me to eastern Canada (against Dr's orders) he was extremely generous, and he continues to be - His estate is being auctioned at Sothebys /and everything goes to charity ... The Sam Simon Foundation - his legacy lives on.. and on. We know he's always up to something - that hasn't ended by any means.
His 'colorful way' touched so many people - and exposed them to animal issues in a way completely unique to Sam. Crying and Laughing at the same time is - an ecstatic gift.
that he taught me - we did it a lot. - to feel...  When I heard his voice in the film "Unity"  - It made me so happy - to hear his voice immortalized.
My heart exploded -
With all those feelings facing me at once
I looked at what is before us.
The questions we all have.
Am I doing enough?... Am I making any difference at all? Do my kids understand... the importance of this work?
As activists - we struggle at times with these Questions...

I emailed Shaun Monson(the amazing director of 'Unity')-  after a screening -
feeling a little thrown.

I want to share with you what
He said.

Don’t lose heart.  

In the words of Dori (from Finding Nemo) he said-
 “Just keep swimming.”  
He added-
I’m sure the abolitionists way back when- were so overwhelmed by the seemingly unsurmountable task of ending slavery, especially -
when the President at the time
owned slaves, and - all the major corporations.  
The immense pressure...their souls -must have been under, feeling so strong in their hearts that this terrible practice must end, while at the same time - faced with the undeniable fact that slavery was everywhere.-
They were told that the entire economy of the USA was built on slavery,
and that if they abolished it,
 it would literally financially destroy America.  
The pressure, I can only imagine, must’ve been immense.

But they kept at it anyway.

We - are today’s abolitionists, as you know.  We’re not always popular, and we’re often ridiculed, but - we know in our hearts that this-  is what we must do, so we just have to turn all this into - fuel.
He said-
Whenever you feel overwhelmed,
turn it into FUEL.... 

You’re not alone in this.  

Every body here tonight.
I want you to
KNOW - THAT YOU ARE LOVED -AND APPRECIATED!!!!!!!!
I know SAM would agree with Shaun - and especially Dory...

Just keep swimming …

The 2nd Sam Simon award goes to another rebel. A wild man. I couldn't dream of two better men to be sandwiched between.
Not ... such a lonely place.
The shy, the brave, the lifelong activist - the creative and talented artist.
Freedom
fighter---

Morrisey!

Morrisey couldn't be here tonight- he's performing.
A Brilliant shining light in a cruel time. A poet - a powerful voice.
A beautiful man.
Sam would be stoked!!! Wow! Morrisey??? ...
He'd think this is so cool.
You know -  he's here. (There is more out there then just this)
He's laughing. Drinking, smoking- He's embracing us all.
And, he'd just would want us to think of him with a smirk or a smile and have fun. Enjoy all this... We are alive- we are shepherds of this planet.
We are doing what we love-
and we will   -
just like Sam .. Do all we can to encourage love and Joy for all-
Till our -very - last - breath.

Cheers.

Letter to Estée Lauder...

The Pamela Anderson Foundation

August 27, 2015
John Demsey
Group President
The Estée Lauder Companies Inc.

Dear John,
I hope you're well. We've known each other for a long time, and I've always admired you for embracing M.A.C. Cosmetics as a pioneer in cruelty-free makeup. That's why I was so proud to be a Viva Glam M.A.C. girl in 2004. But the buzz is much different now, and you know I can't bite my tongue. I'm writing today out of great disappointment that M·A·C has abandoned its celebrated policy against animal testing.
When I worked with M.A.C., I found it to be a very progressive and forward-thinking company. That's why I was very disturbed to learn from PETA that M.A.C., under your direction at Estée Lauder, is selling products in China, where the company funds painful tests on animals in order to meet the country's archaic regulations. This has tainted the brand and alienated many of the company's longtime allies. But I have faith in you. Won't you join brands like Urban Decay, Dermalogica, Nature's Gate, Pangea Organics, and Juice Beauty, which have pulled out of China until the country updates its testing policies, as Europe has, to eliminate animal testing?
Hundreds of thousands of rabbits, mice, rats, guinea pigs, and other animals are killed in cruel tests for cosmetics in China every year. These tests aren't required in the U.S. and are illegal in the European Union, India, and Israel. Animals are confined to small barren cages and suffer immensely as they have substances dripped into their eyes, rubbed onto their raw shaved skin, or forced down their throats. The tests are conducted without any painkillers, and the animals are killed after the tests are over.
As an honorary director of PETA and a former M.A.C. spokesperson, I urge you to pull out of the Chinese market until the country's testing methods are modernized like those of much of the rest of the world. Corporate leaders can make this happen. Won't you restore M.A.C. to its former glory as a brand with principles? I look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,
Pamela Anderson

Coming soon- To Russia with Love....

My Expectations

My hope is that my Foundation can establish a cooperative relationship with the Russian government to address wildlife conservation, the environment and the treatment of animals and that we can work together to address issues like the illegal trade in wildlife and the conditions where animals are held in captivity. The primary purpose of my coming to this forum is education and cooperation.

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Pam says she's "too old" ... (to be in Baywatch film)

At Screening of 'Unity' at Universal Studios Aug 12/15 - Photo: Chris Ameuruso

There are rumors of Baywatch being made into a film. Years ago- her late, dear friend and sometimes advisor-Ahmet Ertigan - told her to hold out for a LOT of money, that they couldn't make film with out her...
Pam says
"I'm sure they will be just fine -
They've been trying to make for a decade....
Baywatch was the best time of my life...but- I'd prefer to leave as is.
No one really - appreciates the remakes, it was 'of the times' when TV was a little simpler...and sweet -I I'd rather leave it there. I have part ownership in DVD sales - and,  am in a potential dispute-- I'd like some of the proceeds I'm owed,  to go to my foundation ... "
"I remember there was a "Pamela clause" I was told by producers that international sales, would only buy the shows I was in? Not sure...that sounds crazy. ?"
"I just appeared in a film SPF 18 directed by Alex Israel and written by Michael Berk (creator of Baywatch)  
We have always been friendly..
And-
I am grateful for the continued interest-
I wish them all the best...
But- I have no desire to be in the film.
They know that... I'm too old."

Evgeny Shumilov - Economic Officer - Embassy of the Russian Federation to the U.S.

The Pamela Anderson Foundation

Dear Evgeny,

Thank-you for accepting my request to visit you in Russia.

I am looking forward with both excitement and hope to the visit and meeting with the Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Sergey Donskoy at the East Russia Economic Forum in Vladivostok.  I am very interested in having my Foundation work with the government of Russia to make the world a better place.

Russia’s commitment to defending bio-diversity on both land and in the sea is imperative if we are to take the effective measures that are needed. Russia’s initiative in opposing Monsanto’s destructive operations in the face of that giant corporations ability to buy off other governments is a threat to life on this planet.

I am also impressed that Russia has taken the position that saving bees is a priority. Without bees, the world’s agricultural productivity will be severely stressed and tens of millions of people will suffer.

Although the shipment of endangered Fin whale meat illegally exploited by Icelandic whalers is presently on route through Russian waters bound for Japan, I am hopeful that we can discuss Russia looking into banning such transits of protected species in the future. If we are to restore biodiversity in the Ocean, we need to replenish the ocean of whales, dolphins, fish and the thousands of diverse and important species that make up the foundation of our oceanic life support systems.

Protecting animals is more than just an ethical issue. With 65 billion animals slaughtered every year, the meat industry is now producing more greenhouse gas emissions than the entire transportation industry. We have removed over 90% of the marine biomass from the sea since 1950 and plankton populations have been diminished by between 30% and 40%.

These are some of the things I would like to have the opportunity to discuss with you. We need a global movement to defend the ecological integrity of the entire planet. And with your indulgence I would love to bring with me, a recently released film that I am proud to be a part of called Unity.

I shall make preparations to be in Russia in September and I am very much looking forward to meeting you to discuss important issues that we both are very much concerned with.

Respectfully Yours

Pamela Anderson

Unity

DON’T MISS THIS VERY SPECIAL EVENT BEGINNING AUGUST 12, 2015 unitythemovement.com 

Seven years in the making, UNITY is a new documentary that explores humanity’s hopeful transformation from living by killing into living by loving. It is a unique film about compassion for all beings, or all “expressions of life,” and going beyond all “separation based on form,” and beyond perceiving opposites. Writer/Director Shaun Monson, collaborating with an astounding cast of 100 celebrity narrators (never before gathered in the history of film-making), presents a message of love, tragedy and hope, all set against the backdrop of some of the most compelling 20th and 21st Century footage imaginable.