A Day to Remember at PETA’s London ‘All Together Now’ Event
If you’ve ever been moved by the iconic Beatles song “All Together Now”, PETA’s recent event at the Swan, Shakespeare’s Globe, London, would have struck a chord.
With the River Thames glittering in the background, PETA founder Ingrid Newkirk and senior staff brought together a group of passionate supporters for an empowering fundraising affair. The London “All Together Now” event celebrated PETA’s victories for animals and honoured the like-minded individuals who make this vital work possible.
The morning kicked off with a stylish twist: PETA Senior Media and Communications Manager Jennifer White surprised one lucky guest with a chic door prize – a luxurious cactus leather handbag from FRIDA ROME, a winner of PETA’s 2024 Vegan Fashion Awards, paired with a gift voucher for even more sustainable fashion goodies. Not a bad start!
As the event unfolded, guests were treated to a video presentation featuring English actor Amanda Abbington. Her introduction led into a moving film that highlighted PETA’s recent victories for animals and reaffirmed the progress we’re making through unity and activism. But the real magic happened when Ingrid took to the stage for an inspiring and thought-provoking speech.
Ingrid spoke passionately about the need for empathy that extends to all living, feeling beings, including insects. She addressed a common question faced by animal rights activists: “Where do you draw the line?” Her response was as simple as it was profound: “We know insects think and feel, so if we can avoid harming them, why not?”
Her message went beyond advocating for kindness to challenging perceptions of animals and recognising that the way we treat them reflects our humanity – and she emphasised with a quote from George Bernard Shaw that how we treat animals should not depend on which species we’re dealing with. Ingrid also shared a memorable anecdote about a radio host who, after being stuck in traffic during a vegan protest, reconsidered her own lifestyle and embraced vegan living.
She concluded with a compelling call to action:
A line has been created: a line that shouldn’t exist between humans and all other forms of life, so please, let’s each of us resolve to do all we can to blur that line, to convince people to treat every living being with consideration because, after all, it never hurt anyone to be kind.
Of course, no celebration would be complete without a delicious spread of food, and the vegan brunch was nothing short of mouthwatering. Guests feasted on a range of inspired dishes, from tofu “wings” and “beef” pie with creamy mash to panna cotta and vegan cheese. The signature cocktail of the day, “Strawberry Fields Forever”, was a delicious take on the popular Beatles song that perfectly complimented the culinary offerings.
As the sun beamed over London, each guest departed with an exciting gift bag filled with seasonal goodies donated by businesses that support PETA’s mission. The treasures included Facetheory hand cream, Fruit Works Multi Balm, and a lip balm by Dr Paw Paw, to name but a few – perfect parting gifts to remember this remarkable gathering.
By the end of the day, it was clear: PETA’s “All Together Now” was more than just an event – it was a powerful reminder of our shared responsibility to treat all living, feeling beings with compassion and respect, whether they’re an elephant, a dog, a mouse, or a beetle.
