Sundaes, Protest, and Arrests: Ben & Jerry's Co-Founder Takes a Stand in Senate

In a dramatic turn of events, Ben Cohen, the co-founder of Ben & Jerry’s, found himself at the center of controversy after being arrested during a protest in the U.S. Senate. The protest, which aimed to raise awareness about military aid to Israel and the humanitarian situation in Gaza, erupted during a testimony by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr.

As tensions grew, Cohen, along with six other demonstrators, faced arrest, with Cohen charged for crowding, obstructing, or incommoding, a common charge in civil disobedience cases. Videos circulated on social media captured Cohen being escorted out by police with his hands restrained, where he expressed his views on the implications of U.S. policies, stating, ”Congress kills poor kids in Gaza by buying bombs, and pays for it by kicking kids off Medicaid in the US.”

The protest comes as Ben & Jerry’s has a longstanding reputation for taking strong public stances on various social and political issues since its founding in 1978. Although it was acquired by Unilever in 2000, the brand has maintained a strong commitment to its values, often advocating for themes like LGBTQ+ rights and climate change. However, the relationship between Ben & Jerry’s and Unilever has become increasingly strained, especially following Ben & Jerry’s decision to halt sales in the West Bank, prompting a legal dispute between the two entities over political and ideological disagreements. Unilever’s spokesperson emphasized that Cohen’s actions during the protest were not representative of Ben & Jerry’s or Unilever.

The escalating advocacy for a ceasefire in Gaza reflects the company’s ongoing commitment to activism, with Cohen’s arrest spotlighting the intersection of corporate identity and personal conviction.