A vegan influencer who has been accused of comparing eating animals to the Holocaust has defended himself against the claims and doubled down on his argument in a new interview.
James Aspey shared snaps of slaves in chains and Germany leader Adolf Hitler, alongside photos of butchered animals, with the caption: "The law should never dictate your morals."
This caused angry social media users to accuse him of equating the killing of animals for food to the death of an estimated six million Jewish people at the hands of the German Nazi party in World War II.
An unrepentant Aspey did not back down, however, and proceeded to use the inflammatory phrase 'animal holocaust'.
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He told The Daily Star: "The animal holocaust was happening long before, during and after the Holocaust and every other holocaust in human history.
"We aren't lowering the status of the WWII Holocaust survivors to the status of animals, but rather we are elevating the status of non-human Earthlings - that's great."
He added: "I am hoping to draw attention to the reality that our culture is extremely sick. We pay for the torture, rape and murder of non-human Earthlings, which is all standard, legal practice in the meat, dairy and egg industries).
"Humans their corpses or secretions [sic], while calling themselves civilised, animal-lovers, and there is absolutely no need for it."
Aspey went on to extol the virtues of a vegan diet, by saying: "Humans are likely to live longer, have less nutrient deficiencies, develop less deadly diseases, and dramatically lower our carbon footprint, all from consuming a vegan diet.
"People need to take animal rights seriously! It is far from a joke. The animal holocaust is an atrocity! These types of terms make people think, and that is the first step required for people to take action and change their ways."
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Somewhat jarringly, he went on to make a direct plea to meat-eating survivors of the Holocaust and their families, saying: "There is another holocaust happening right now and if you are purchasing animal products, you are the reason it exists.
"Please, you know more than anyone how horrific it is for innocent humans to have their lives and families destroyed.
"The animals suffer just the same. I desperately encourage you to join the right side of history by going vegan and educate those around you as to why you should do the same."
Aspey, who took a year-long vow of silence to promote veganism in 2015, signed off by explaining what else he does to spread the word of veganism, and also repeated his belief he was right to use the word holocaust in his post.
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He said: "I have given 300-400 free speeches on animal rights. I share vegan food recipes, health info and everything I can think of. The fact is, there is nothing wrong with calling a holocaust a holocaust. We shouldn't use language that makes the oppressors feel comfortable. We should be thinking about the victims."
In response to criticism, Aspey captioned another post with the words: "Stop wasting your time with me. I will NEVER stop calling it WHAT IT IS! #THEANIMALHOLOCAUST."
The influencer also attacked comedian Russell Brand in a separate post, accusing him of endorsing 'ethical meat eating'.
He said: "You should be calling out this sick mentality in our culture, not telling them it's okay to consume the flesh of holocaust victims."
Featured Image Credit: Credit: Instagram/jamesaspey