The behavior of other animals renders such pretensions specious. They are just too much like us. Animal rights means recognizing that animals are living sentient creatures with interests of their own, not objects to be exploited by humans. It means that animals' interests should be respected, and that the enslaving, eating, wearing, and torturing of animals by humans is wrong. Profit drives the agribusiness, not concern for the animals', the workers', or the public's well being.
Workers suffer too.
Massive institutionalized violence in the slaughterhouse no doubt has psychological effects on workers as well. Diseased food, massive pollution, and inefficient use of resources affect everyone. To stop the suffering of animals and to truly respect them requires us to stop exploiting them in the use of food, clothing, and entertainment. Vegans are individuals who strive to do no harm towards animals. This means that they try not to use, eat, or wear any animal products such as meat, eggs, dairy, wool or leather.