Linda Mccartney To Be Remembered At Candlelight Vigil

For Immediate Release:
June 1, 1998


Contact:
Andrew Butler 757-622-7382


London — As Sir Paul McCartney joins family and friends at St. Martin-in-the-Fields for the first public memorial service for Linda, the woman they called wife, mother, and friend, representatives from animal protection and vegetarian groups around the world will gather in Trafalgar Square to pay tribute to the woman they hail as an icon in the humane movement.


The fans will hold candles and banners in honor of Linda, whom they have come to call (in countless letters, cards, and even messages from children) “The Animals’ Angel.” On display will be a giant pair of angel’s wings on which people can inscribe messages to Linda’s family. A group of vegetarian children from Britain, India, and Italy will lay flowers beside Linda’s portrait.


Date: Monday, June 8


Time: 8-9 p.m.


Place: Trafalgar Square 
 
Flanked by PETA’s vegetarian mascot, the colorfully costumed Chris P. Carrot, Simmons will unveil a blow-up of his Animal Times cover. The duo will then help dish up some of the music mogul’s favorite foods from the magazine’s “Simmerin’ With Simmons” vegan recipe spread. Included on the menu: mock meatloaf, hush puppies, and BBQ fib ribs.


Simmons stopped eating all animal products three years ago: “My wife, Kimora, told me while we were watching The Texas Chainsaw Massacre that that’s a vegetarian movie. The way that woman in the movie was screaming, ‘Aaaahhh!’ and running away-that’s how every animal you eat is running for his life.”


In the exclusive PETA interview, Simmons reveals he’s extending his popular Phat Farm clothing label to include a No Animal Phat line of fake furs, aimed at replacing the real stuff flaunted by many rappers: “The urban community moves like an army in a lot of ways-if they say it’s cool to wear fake fur, you’ll change the world.”


Simmons is the newest notable animal advocate, joining a roster of PETA supporters that includes Pamela Anderson, Paul McCartney, Chrissie Hynde, and Alicia Silverstone.


Advance copies of Russell Simmons’ Animal Times cover story and broadcast quality reels of PETA celebrity projects are available.