Posted December 23, 2011 by Christina
What do Bill Clinton, former President George W. Bush speechwriter Matthew Scully, and the Rev. Al Sharpton have in common? They’re all politicians who don’t eat meat. So awesome! Sharpton first got an idea of what happens to animals on factory farms when he appeared in PETA’s video exposing cruelty in slaughterhouses that supply KFC. His message to the colonel? “That’s foul!”
I overhauled my diet after a 40-day hunger strike when I was in jail for the Vieques [military bombing practice] protest. … I dabbled with weight loss ideas, wanting to keep off the pounds I lost. First, I gave up red meat, then chicken. I ran into Bill Clinton, who told me how he has more energy, needs less sleep, and can think more clearly since going vegan, and I can tell you the same thing happened to me. I also kept in mind the words of another vegetarian friend—Coretta Scott King—who always spoke of the ethical reasons to give up meat.
Sharpton dedicated his PETA Humanitarian Award to King when he accepted it at PETA’s awards gala in New York City in 2006. “Avoiding meat is the way to eat for anyone with a highly charged life,” Sharpton says. “A vegetarian diet has a way of absorbing the stress and gives you greater endurance. I don’t eat many starches or [refined] sugars. I just love greens and grains. I eat a lot of salad and fruits. I feel like a new, improved me.”
To date, the reverend has lost more than 120 pounds. How’s that for vegan power?
Want to rock it like Al Sharpton? Take the pledge to go vegan. It’s super-easy, and you can enjoy delish foods like these!
peta2 Street Team Coordinator + lover of vegan food, cats, animal rights, Dawson's Creek, and Harry Potter.
Hello! My name is Nina, and I am a musician-in-training, and I play 7 instruments. I am a liberal, an LGBT activist, avid reader, composer, singer, and poi spinner. I am vegan, and a strong supporter of animal rights.
Born and raised in Mexico. I love vegan food and animals!
I was born in Canada and love peta2. I table every month and meet new people:older and younger. I love music and play the recorder. I'm a 6 year spelling bee champion. Again I love peta2!
I have always lived in Los Angeles but my family and I went to Mexico for my parents wedding. So we came back to LA. I don't like LA but were here already what can I do unless I move out and find my own housing. I have always liked animals and it was til I was like about 14 when I learned about tests they do on animals and I began to explore animal cruelty because I was interested it in it. I have watched videos that just broke my heart so that's why today I'm doing all I can to not buy anything that has harmed an animal and I'm vegetarian .
I'm tall, I love sewing, fashion and the environment, also I'm vegetarian (wannabe vegan.) Obviously, I love animals! :)
540 days ago
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I love seeing politicians eating meat free! it shows that there can be change in laws ruling in favour for animal rights
544 days ago
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thats cool