Ben & Jerry’s Co-Founder Arrested During Senate Hearing Protest
In a dramatic turn of events at a Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee hearing on Wednesday, Ben Cohen, co-founder of the iconic ice cream brand Ben & Jerry’s, was arrested after leading a pro-Gaza protest. Cohen was among seven demonstrators taken into custody as tensions flared during a session featuring prominent speaker Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Eyewitness reports from NBC News indicated that the protest escalated when a group of activists interrupted Kennedy with chants criticizing his views on vaccines, with slogans like, “RFK kills people with AIDs!” and “When Bobby lies, children die.” These protests underscored the controversy surrounding Kennedy’s stance on public health issues, which has been criticized as anti-vaccine and anti-science.
As the situation unfolded, police swiftly intervened to remove the protesters, leading to Cohen’s arrest after he stood up to express his discontent. He loudly accused the U.S. government of contributing to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, specifically highlighting the impact on children. In footage circulating online, Cohen can be seen animatedly gesturing as he addressed U.S. Health Secretary Xavier Becerra.
The incident has drawn attention to the ongoing debates surrounding U.S. foreign policy and health care, intertwining advocacy for Gaza with critiques of public health leadership. Cohen’s protests come at a time of heightened awareness regarding humanitarian issues, further fueling discussions within the political arena.
Cohen’s bold actions at such a formal setting emphasize the powerful intersection of corporate influence and activism in contemporary American society, as his ice cream legacy is now further entangled with significant social and political issues.
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