Piers Morgan lays into vegan activist Tash Peterson
Prominent Australian vegan activist Tash Peterson found herself in the middle of a fiery debate with British media personality Piers Morgan during her appearance on his TV program, Uncensored.
The 29-year-old activist donned a T-shirt with the slogan "end this holocaust" and an image of a caged pig, which immediately sparked heated discussions.
Morgan began the conversation by suggesting that people might be turning away from veganism because they felt overwhelmed by aggressive approaches. He referred to Peterson's habit of entering restaurants and playing sounds of animals being slaughtered, aiming to draw attention to the treatment of animals in the meat industry.
Peterson defended her actions, stating that it raises awareness about what she calls the "animal holocaust." However, Morgan took issue with her choice of words, asserting that the term "holocaust" should be reserved for the mass extermination of six million Jewish people during World War II. He questioned the use of such emotive language, fearing it would offend people.
“You’re (Peterson) one of those people that runs into restaurants and plays sounds from screaming animals in abattoirs and so on,” said Morgan.
“No, I don’t think so at all," replied Peterson. "I think it brings more attention to the animal holocaust.”
“Why would you use the word 'holocaust'?" interjected Morgan. “Holocaust is the mass extermination of more than six million Jewish people by Adolf Hitler and the Nazis. Why would you use that very emotive language knowing it would offend people?”
Peterson stood her ground, arguing that the term "holocaust" is applicable when looking at the broader definition of the word, as it refers to mass slaughter or destruction. She believed that multiple holocausts have occurred throughout history, extending the idea to include the suffering of non-human animals.
“If you look at the definition of a holocaust it is slaughter or destruction on a mass scale," she said. "Multiple holocausts have occurred throughout human history and non-human animals can be subjected to the same atrocities that humans can.”
Tomi Lahren, another guest on the show and a conservative political commentator from a ranching family, joined Morgan in opposing the comparison made by Peterson. Lahren emphasised the care given to animals within the farming and ranching communities.
The conversation also touched on British TV personality Bear Grylls, who had recently given up veganism. Peterson accused Grylls of being a "fake vegan," which Morgan questioned, pointing out that Grylls had authored a vegan cookbook. Peterson, however, maintained that true vegans would never abandon their ethical stance against animal abuse and murder.
Morgan concluded the discussion by criticising Peterson's protest methods, urging her to explore more effective ways to promote veganism rather than resorting to disruptive actions like entering restaurants and playing distressing animal sounds.
Peterson is currently in the UK for the Vegan Camp Out Festival, where she is scheduled to be a guest speaker. However, she had to seek clearance from a Perth court due to charges related to an incident in which she allegedly refused to leave a restaurant during a confrontation with anti-vegan chef John Mountain.
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