Cohen's detention highlights the ongoing protests surrounding humanitarian conditions in Gaza and the contentious relationship between Ben & Jerry's and its parent company Unilever.
Ben & Jerry's Co-Founder Detained During Senate Protest on Gaza Aid
Ben & Jerry's Co-Founder Detained During Senate Protest on Gaza Aid
Activist Ben Cohen finds himself arrested amid a heated demonstration over US military assistance to Israel.
In a striking display of civil disobedience, Ben Cohen, the co-founder of the iconic ice cream brand Ben & Jerry's, was apprehended during a protest at the United States Senate on Wednesday. The demonstration sought to draw attention to the ongoing military assistance provided to Israel and the dire humanitarian situation faced by civilians in Gaza.
The protest took place as Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. was delivering testimony. Cohen, who has a history of activism, was among several demonstrators arrested; he faces charges of crowding, obstructing, or incommoding, a misdemeanour commonly related to civil protests. Six additional protesters have been charged with more serious offenses, including assaulting a police officer.
Footage from the event showed Cohen being escorted out by law enforcement with his hands behind his back. In a post-arrest video, he expressed his outrage, stating, "Congress kills poor kids in Gaza by buying bombs, and pays for it by kicking kids off Medicaid in the US."
Cohen’s activism aligns with Ben & Jerry's longstanding tradition of taking public stances on pressing social and political issues since its inception in 1978. The company has often been an advocate for causes such as LGBTQ+ rights and environmental sustainability.
Conflicts have arisen recently between Ben & Jerry's and Unilever, the multinational corporation that acquired the brand in 2000. As tensions escalated, particularly following Ben & Jerry's announcement in 2021 to cease sales in the West Bank, the two entities have been embroiled in a legal dispute. The ice cream company alleges that Unilever wrongfully terminated its CEO due to disagreements over the brand's political engagement.
In light of these developments, a representative from Unilever stated that Cohen's actions represent his personal views and are not reflective of Ben & Jerry's or Unilever's official stance.
As the situation develops, Cohen's arrest may further propel discussions about corporate activism, humanitarian aid, and the responsibilities that come with being a socially conscious business.
The protest took place as Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. was delivering testimony. Cohen, who has a history of activism, was among several demonstrators arrested; he faces charges of crowding, obstructing, or incommoding, a misdemeanour commonly related to civil protests. Six additional protesters have been charged with more serious offenses, including assaulting a police officer.
Footage from the event showed Cohen being escorted out by law enforcement with his hands behind his back. In a post-arrest video, he expressed his outrage, stating, "Congress kills poor kids in Gaza by buying bombs, and pays for it by kicking kids off Medicaid in the US."
Cohen’s activism aligns with Ben & Jerry's longstanding tradition of taking public stances on pressing social and political issues since its inception in 1978. The company has often been an advocate for causes such as LGBTQ+ rights and environmental sustainability.
Conflicts have arisen recently between Ben & Jerry's and Unilever, the multinational corporation that acquired the brand in 2000. As tensions escalated, particularly following Ben & Jerry's announcement in 2021 to cease sales in the West Bank, the two entities have been embroiled in a legal dispute. The ice cream company alleges that Unilever wrongfully terminated its CEO due to disagreements over the brand's political engagement.
In light of these developments, a representative from Unilever stated that Cohen's actions represent his personal views and are not reflective of Ben & Jerry's or Unilever's official stance.
As the situation develops, Cohen's arrest may further propel discussions about corporate activism, humanitarian aid, and the responsibilities that come with being a socially conscious business.
