UPDATED 3/4/05:

In yet another twist in the ongoing saga of trying to save Enterprise from the TV scrap heap, it has recently been announced that an anonymous contribution of $3 million by members of the commercial space flight industry has been pledged towards the campaign to keep the show going at least one more year. TrekUnited head Tim Brazeal says that this generosity is overwhelming. "We believe that Enterprise deserves a future," he says.

The benefactors' statement on SaveEnterprise.com says that the people responsible for airing this kind of television have a responsibility: inspiration. They go on to note that at least 50% of all the entrepreneurs in this industry have been inspired by Star Trek.

Under the terms of the TrekUnited charter, the money pledged will go towards anything that will guarantee a fifth season of the show. However, it is still unclear whether any amount of money will bring the show back. Production is currently scheduled to finish next Tuesday, March 8.

UPDATED 2/28/05:

Three new photo galleries (at left) show Enterprise production staff members greeting the fans in front of Paramount Studios, plus fan rallies held in New York and Israel.

Star Trek fans, united in their support for the franchise, have launched a large-scale demonstration this morning in front of the main gates at Paramount Pictures, the studio where the show is produced. Tim Brazeal, head of the fan-run SaveEnterprise effort, was the main person responsible for organizing the event which saw a steady influx of fans taking part, estimates for which range between 120-150 people during the morning portion of the protest.

In a coordinated world-wide protest effort that rivals the ones in the 1960's when the first Star Trek faced cancellation, fans are coming out in droves, united by two things, their love of Trek, and a commitment to Enterprise, the series that has been cancelled by UPN. Recent fan demonstrations have also been scheduled to take place in New York, Chicago, Washington, London and in Tel Aviv, Israel.

Today's rally at Paramount began shortly after 8:30 a.m. when fans began assembling outside the studio gates with their handmade signs and their enthusiasm. Motorists driving along Melrose Avenue would frequently honk their horns in solidarity.

Several Enterprise production crew came out to witness the event and show their support, including Manny Coto, Mike Sussman, Judith and Garfield Reeves-Stevens, Andre Bormanis, John Eaves, Doug Drexler, Mike and Denise Okuda, Dave Rossi, Ron B. Moore, Vince Deadrick Jr., Alan Kobayashi, Brad Look, and Jim Van Over. Even Anthony Montgomery ("Travis Mayweather") hung out with the crowds and thanked them for their support before reporting to work.

Eugene "Rod" Roddenberry, son of Star Trek creator Gene, was there with a camera crew to record the demonstration for "Trek Nation," his ongoing documentary project. "Star Trek has been something that I've learned from you guys, not from watching it on TV," Rod told the crowd. "You guys have told me some of the most amazing stories and I've met some of the most amazing people. If I could do anything about this I would definitely keep it on the air for you, because I think the ratings are a bunch of nonsense. I don't want you guys to give up. I want you guys to keep fighting for this. I'll tell you what, even if Star Trek lays low now, it will come back again. Star Trek will never die. You guys will never let it die."

Executive producer Coto also spoke to the crowd via bullhorn and expressed his thanks for their support. "This is an overwhelming response. I just want to thank you all for coming out. I remember back in '78 when I went to my very first Star Trek convention in Orlando, Florida. We had Walter Koenig show up, we lined up, I got a shot of myself with him holding a phaser — it was the greatest moment of my life. This brings back all those memories. Star Trek fans are the greatest fans in the whole world. Don't ever let anyone tell you anything different. This is a great show, it's a great franchise. It will continue. People are hearing what you're saying here today and I want you to know that we appreciate it, the writers appreciate it, the actors, everyone who works on the show knows what you've done, knows what your passion is for the show ... and it really means a lot. So, thank you very much for coming out today."

Many of the signs revealed the good humor of the fans, with slogans such as: "Trek's Not Just a Show, It's a Responsibility," "WWKD (What Would Kirk Do?)," "Bush is a Hologram," "Nielsen Schmielson" and the more straightforward ones such as "Keep Enterprise Alive," "Save Star Trek," "We are Star Trek: Enterprise's Extended Family, We're Here to Support Them!" and "To Boldly Go On" (see photo gallery at left).

Supporters journeyed from as far away as the U.K., Australia and New Zealand to appear at the rally. Chris Wales, who works for TrekUnited.com, flew 15 hours from Leeds, England to attend the demonstration. "I was on the plane flying out here and I was sitting next to a guy from Saudi Arabia who said even we've heard about it on the radio out there," he said. "We believe Star Trek is worth keeping."

"Paramount seems to think there's not enough fan support going on and we're here to show them there is. I don't think they can ignore what's going on," said SaveEnterprise organizer Brazeal. "We're trying to make sure that people recognize this as Star Trek: Enterprise day."

Other fans at the demonstration had their own take on why Enterprise is essential. "Right now is the number one worst time for this [cancellation] to happen. We really need a quality show like Enterprise on the air. It's very disturbing when the major popular television shows are things like Fear Factor, Surreal Life, etc," said fan Marya Banniza regarding the show's demise.