The Activist Engineering Liberty

Anthony “Anton” Mirzayants is described by his superiors as a“wiz kid” who took an unconventional path, stepping away from a promising engineering career to fight for the liberties he holds dear. 

Just six credits shy of earning his degree from the South Dakota School of Mines, Anton redirected his talents and passion toward activism and defending individual freedoms. His upbringing profoundly influenced his choice as a first-generation American whose parents fled the oppressive Soviet regime in search of a better life in the United States.

Growing up in a household shaped by the horrors of communism, Anton developed a deep-seated disdain for government overreach and tyranny. This personal history planted the seed for his relentless drive to protect liberty in all forms. 

His family’s story is a living testament to the dangers of unchecked government power, and it’s no surprise that Anton’s key political issues include nullifying federal overreach, safeguarding free speech, breaking the government monopoly on education, including higher ed, and restoring gun rights. One of his more personal stances is his strong opposition to Dr. Anthony Fauci and what he sees as extreme, authoritarian healthcare mandates that trample on individual rights.

His journey into political activism began at the South Dakota School of Mines, where he was an Electrical Engineering student. In March 2020, he joined Young Americans for Liberty (YAL) as a State Chair, focusing his efforts on building self-sustaining campus chapters across the Midwest. Anton didn’t stop there. He mobilized the South Dakota network, implementing YAL’s confrontational model of politics to push back against state and federal overreach. His influence extended beyond campuses to the state legislature, where he led efforts to promote liberty-driven policies.

Now working in the Grassroots department with American Action Fund, Anton has shifted his focus to legislative operations across the Northern Plains. Over the past year, he has spearheaded critical efforts in South Dakota, successfully pushing for roll-call votes on property rights, school choice, and other critical liberty issues. 

Anton believes South Dakota is uniquely positioned to become one of American Action Fund’s first lighthouse states, showcasing limited government power and individual freedoms. With its strong grassroots network and growing support for liberty-driven policies, South Dakota could lead the way in nullifying federal overreach and protecting constitutional rights.

Anton can be found at the range when he isn’t mobilizing the grassroots. He particularly likes plinking targets with his AK-47, a weapon that he says connects him to his Russian roots, even though he laughingly admits he purchased it from an American company to save a few bucks. His work is a testament to his dedication to advancing the principles of freedom that he holds dear, and his relentless fight for liberty shows no signs of slowing down.