Cohen's activism highlights ongoing tensions around humanitarian issues in Gaza and corporate relationships.
Ben & Jerry's Co-Founder Arrested at Senate Protest Against Gaza Conditions
Ben & Jerry's Co-Founder Arrested at Senate Protest Against Gaza Conditions
Ben Cohen’s protest against military aid to Israel led to his arrest during a Senate hearing.
Ben Cohen, the co-founder of iconic ice cream brand Ben & Jerry's, was apprehended during a fervent protest in the US Senate concerning military assistance to Israel and the humanitarian plight in Gaza. The incident occurred on Wednesday when demonstrators interrupted a hearing where Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. was delivering testimony.
According to officials from the US Capitol Police, Cohen was charged with a misdemeanor offense, specifically for “crowding, obstructing, or incommoding,” a common charge used in civil disobedience cases in the Washington D.C. area. Alongside Cohen, six other activists were also arrested; these individuals face more serious charges including assaulting a police officer and resisting arrest.
In a video that circulated on social media, Cohen can be seen being led away by police with his hands restrained behind his back. When asked about the reasoning behind his arrest, he stated, "Congress kills poor kids in Gaza by buying bombs, and pays for it by kicking kids off Medicaid in the US."
Ben & Jerry's has a long-standing reputation for advocating social and political causes since its establishment in 1978 by Cohen and Jerry Greenfield. The company has previously supported initiatives related to LGBTQ+ rights and environmental issues. Following its acquisition by Unilever in 2000, an independent board was formed to ensure the brand's values remained intact, but tensions between the two entities have been escalating. This discord intensified particularly after Ben & Jerry's halted sales in the West Bank in 2021, leading to a complex legal dispute between the companies.
A spokesperson for Unilever commented on Cohen's arrest, making it clear that his actions are personal and not representative of the company or the brand. Recently, Ben & Jerry's has also filed legal action against Unilever, claiming that CEO David Stever was dismissed due to conflicts regarding the brand's political activism. This escalating situation underscores the complex interplay between activism, corporate responsibility, and international humanitarian concerns.
