Continuing our activist profile series, today we’re going to learn more about Miguel Marrón. In fall 2017—his first semester as a traveling Outreach Coordinator—Miguel leafleted 47 schools and handed out 47,885 leaflets. He just kicked off his spring leafleting tour, and he’s already handed out 12,500 leaflets.
Where are you from and where do you live now?
I’m from Northern Utah, and I live on the road.
What got you interested in animal rights and veganism?
I went vegetarian shortly after a grade school field trip where the class was taken into the mountains and instructed to kill chickens with our hands and pocket knives. Five or six chickens were let loose from cages and chased by a pack of about 50 kids. I remember pushing one of my classmates to the ground so that one of the chickens would have a chance to escape. I soon realized that this sort of thing must be happening all the time in order for us to be eating chicken every night at home.
When I was 17 years old, I saw Meet Your Meat at a Goldfinger concert. I researched what I saw and realized that going vegan would bring my actions into better alignment with my values and beliefs of not harming others.
For about five years, I didn’t know any other vegans. Honestly, I think a big part of why I got into activism was to meet other vegans. What keeps me an activist is seeing the results of our efforts and knowing that we’re making a difference. I often get exhilarated when I notice how fast and effective it is to get the animal rights message out to the masses with things like leafleting and pay-per-view.
How did you get involved with Vegan Outreach and leafleting?
I got involved with Vegan Outreach around 2010. I started Animal Unanimity, an animal rights student organization at Weber State University. I brought back VO literature from the Animal Rights National Conference in DC. After I distributed all the literature I had, I started ordering literature and leafleting regularly in Ogden, UT.
What got me interested in VO specifically is how straightforward and fact-based the booklets are. I’ve found leafleting to be very exhilarating. It’s a really amazing way to bring this message to many people very quickly.
Do you have a favorite leafleting moment to share?
It’s too hard to choose just one. I’m overwhelmed at how generous the volunteers and hosts have been to me. I’ve been welcomed into the homes of total strangers and met so many amazing people!
What do you do for fun when you’re not leafleting?
In some ways, my life hasn’t changed much since I’ve been on the road leafleting. I still enjoy regular yoga and jogging. I also enjoy reading, writing in my journal, and playing Nintendo. Every chance I have, I go into nature and try to identify the plants and mushrooms that I see.
Do you have anything else you’d like to add about leafleting?
It’s really cool once an entire campus community has been saturated with VO leaflets. I notice that the topic is on everyone’s minds. I enjoy walking around and listening to students discuss these issues with each other.
Can you tell us one of your favorite vegan products to share with our readers?
I enjoy Treeline Cheese.