Progressive ice cream magnate arrested while protesting at RFK Jr Senate hearing
Ben Cohen, one of the co-founders of the iconic ice cream company Ben & Jerry’s, made headlines once again as he was arrested on Capitol Hill during a Senate hearing involving Health and Human Services Department Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. United States Capitol Police confirmed that Cohen was among seven individuals arrested for disrupting the hearing. While Cohen was charged with obstruction, others faced more severe charges including resisting arrest and assaulting a police officer.
During the hearing, chaos erupted as a protester shouted, “RFK kills people with hate!” causing a commotion that led to multiple individuals being escorted out of the room. Senator Bill Cassidy, the chairman of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions, had to pause the proceedings as the disruption unfolded. In a video of the incident, Cohen can be seen being forcibly removed from the hearing room by Capitol Police officers.
This is not the first time Cohen has been arrested for protesting in Washington, D.C. In 2023, he was arrested outside the Department of Homeland Security for protesting the detainment of Julian Assange. Ben & Jerry’s, known for its progressive activism, has often been targeted by Republicans for its support of progressive causes and politicians. The company has faced criticism for its decision to stop selling products in Israeli settlements in the West Bank.
Despite the controversy surrounding the company, Ben & Jerry’s has maintained its commitment to social justice and activism. Its independent board of directors has allowed it to continue its progressive advocacy even after being acquired by Unilever in 2000. The company’s dedication to social causes has been a defining feature of its brand since its founding in 1978.
As the news of Cohen’s arrest spread, it once again put Ben & Jerry’s in the spotlight for its unwavering commitment to social justice issues. The iconic ice cream maker continues to be a symbol of activism and advocacy in the business world, standing firm in its values despite facing backlash from critics.
