Article Summary
Ben Cohen, co-founder of Ben & Jerry’s ice cream, was arrested during a Senate hearing where Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. was testifying. Cohen and six others were arrested for disrupting the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions. The charges faced by the protesters include crowding, obstructing, and incommoding. Cohen shared footage of his arrest and said he was motivated by humanitarian concerns for residents of Gaza. This isn’t the first time Cohen has faced arrest, as he was previously arrested in 2023 for blocking the entrance to the Department of Justice.
What This Means for You
- Public figures can face legal consequences for disrupting Senate hearings, highlighting the importance of respecting the rules and order of such proceedings.
- Political activism can take many forms, including peaceful protests and disruptions, but it’s essential to consider the potential consequences of these actions.
- Social media can provide a platform for individuals to share their perspectives and experiences, even during arrests and legal proceedings.
- Being mindful of the impact of one’s activism on ongoing conflicts, such as the war between Israel and Gaza, is crucial for promoting peace and understanding.
Original Post
Ben Cohen, a founder of the famously progressive Ben & Jerry’s ice cream brand, was arrested Wednesday during a Senate hearing at which Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. was testifying.
Cohen was among a group of seven people who disrupted a hearing for the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions, after which they were arrested by United States Capitol Police, per a report from Fox News.
The charges faced by the protesters include crowding, obstructing, and incommoding, according to a report from Axios.
Some of the protesters were also hit with charges of resisting arrest or assaulting a police officer.
Cohen, however, did not receive those particular charges.
Cohen shared footage of his arrest and said he was motivated by humanitarian concerns for residents of Gaza, which remains at war with Israel.
“I told Congress they’re killing poor kids in Gaza by buying bombs, and they’re paying for it by kicking poor kids off Medicaid in the US,” he argued on social media platform X.
“This was the authorities’ response,” he said in an apparent jab at Capitol Police.
I told Congress they’re killing poor kids in Gaza by buying bombs, and they’re paying for it by kicking poor kids off Medicaid in the US. This was the authorities’ response. pic.twitter.com/uOf7xrzzWM
— Ben Cohen (@YoBenCohen) May 14, 2025
This isn’t the first time Cohen has faced arrest. In 2023, the controversial ice cream entrepreneur Kennedy was seen smirking as Capitol Police escorted Cohen and his associates out of the room.
The Cabinet official chuckled when Cassidy quipped, “That was a made for C-SPAN moment”.
Related:
NEW: Ben & Jerry’s co-founder Ben Cohen has a meltdown on Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. before being thrown out of the hearing room.
If he is concerned about Americans’ health, he should look no further than Ben & Jerry’s ice cream.
A pint of Ben & Jerry’s Milk &… pic.twitter.com/Qv4Aj26Mqh
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) May 14, 2025
Ben & Jerry’s has a reputation of supporting left-wing causes.
The ice cream brand, which was sold to Unilever in 2000, previously ended the sale of its products in the West Bank, asserting that the territory belonged to Palestinians.
Key Terms
- Ben & Jerry’s
- Political activism
- Senate hearing
- Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
- Capitol Police
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