Ben Cohen, co-founder of the ice cream brand Ben & Jerry’s, was detained on Wednesday during a protest in the US Senate.
The demonstration was focused on military aid to Israel and humanitarian concerns in Gaza, disrupting a hearing where US health secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr was giving testimony.
Cohen was one of several activists taken into custody by Capitol Police.
In a post on X the next day, he explained why he took part in the protest: “I can't call myself an American and not put my body on the line.”
He added, “For me, our government-funded destruction and slaughter of families living in Gaza is an attack on justice, common decency, and what I had thought was the American way — the American way that Superman used to defend, along with Truth and Justice.”
Cohen was charged with a misdemeanour offence commonly used in civil disobedience cases involving crowding, obstructing or incommoding.
A spokesperson for Capitol Police confirmed that six other demonstrators were also arrested and are facing more serious charges, including assaulting an officer and resisting arrest.
A video shared on social media showed Cohen being escorted out of the building with his hands tied behind his back. When asked why he was being arrested, Cohen responded: “Congress kills poor kids in Gaza by buying bombs, and pays for it by kicking kids off Medicaid in the US.”
Cohen and his brand have a history of taking political stances. Since its founding in 1978, Ben & Jerry’s has supported causes ranging from LGBTQ+ rights to climate change action.
Feud with Unilever
In 2000, Ben & Jerry's was sold to consumer goods giant Unilever, though an independent board was set up to maintain the brand’s social mission.
However, the relationship between Ben & Jerry’s and Unilever has become strained in recent years. In 2021, the ice cream company announced it would stop selling products in the West Bank, a decision that led to legal battles between the two sides. The conflict deepened in March this year, when Ben & Jerry’s filed a lawsuit claiming Unilever had sacked CEO David Stever over political disagreements.
A Unilever spokesperson, responding to Cohen’s latest arrest, said the company is not responsible for his actions and told the BBC: “Ben Cohen takes stances as an activist citizen on issues he finds personally important. These actions are on his own as an individual and not on behalf of Ben & Jerry's or Unilever.”
The demonstration was focused on military aid to Israel and humanitarian concerns in Gaza, disrupting a hearing where US health secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr was giving testimony.
Cohen was one of several activists taken into custody by Capitol Police.
In a post on X the next day, he explained why he took part in the protest: “I can't call myself an American and not put my body on the line.”
He added, “For me, our government-funded destruction and slaughter of families living in Gaza is an attack on justice, common decency, and what I had thought was the American way — the American way that Superman used to defend, along with Truth and Justice.”
I can't call myself an American and not put my body on the line.
— Ben Cohen (@YoBenCohen) May 15, 2025
For me, our government-funded destruction and slaughter of families living in Gaza is an attack on justice, common decency, and what I had thought was the American way. The American way that Superman used to…
Cohen was charged with a misdemeanour offence commonly used in civil disobedience cases involving crowding, obstructing or incommoding.
A spokesperson for Capitol Police confirmed that six other demonstrators were also arrested and are facing more serious charges, including assaulting an officer and resisting arrest.
A video shared on social media showed Cohen being escorted out of the building with his hands tied behind his back. When asked why he was being arrested, Cohen responded: “Congress kills poor kids in Gaza by buying bombs, and pays for it by kicking kids off Medicaid in the US.”
🚨#BREAKING: Ben & Jerry’s co-founder Ben Cohen is forcibly REMOVED by law enforcement for interrupting RFK Jr. hearing.
— ADAM (@AdameMedia) May 14, 2025
“You’re killing poor kids in Gaza and paying for it by cutting Medicaid for kids here”
God bless him.👏🏼 Screw Haagen-Dazspic.twitter.com/FOOrbimaPv
Cohen and his brand have a history of taking political stances. Since its founding in 1978, Ben & Jerry’s has supported causes ranging from LGBTQ+ rights to climate change action.
Feud with Unilever
In 2000, Ben & Jerry's was sold to consumer goods giant Unilever, though an independent board was set up to maintain the brand’s social mission.
However, the relationship between Ben & Jerry’s and Unilever has become strained in recent years. In 2021, the ice cream company announced it would stop selling products in the West Bank, a decision that led to legal battles between the two sides. The conflict deepened in March this year, when Ben & Jerry’s filed a lawsuit claiming Unilever had sacked CEO David Stever over political disagreements.
A Unilever spokesperson, responding to Cohen’s latest arrest, said the company is not responsible for his actions and told the BBC: “Ben Cohen takes stances as an activist citizen on issues he finds personally important. These actions are on his own as an individual and not on behalf of Ben & Jerry's or Unilever.”
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