Ben & Jerry’s Co-Founder Ben Cohen

ByP

Ben Cohen, co-founder of Ben & Jerry’s, was arrested on May 14, 2025, during a protest at a U.S. Senate hearing in Washington, D.C. The demonstration, which occurred while Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. was testifying, involved activists advocating against U.S. military aid to Israel and calling for humanitarian relief in Gaza. Cohen was charged with “crowding, obstructing, or incommoding,” while six others faced more severe charges, including assaulting a police officer. As he was escorted out in zip-ties, Cohen called on Congress to ease the siege on Gaza and criticized U.S. military funding. The arrest sparked varied reactions on social media, with some supporting his activism and others criticizing the disruption.

Known for his social justice advocacy, Cohen has been vocal on humanitarian and political issues even after Unilever acquired Ben & Jerry’s in 2000. The company, which continues to support progressive causes, has at times clashed with Unilever, such as during a 2021 legal dispute over halting ice cream sales in the West Bank. Following Cohen’s arrest, Unilever clarified that his actions were personal and not representative of the company’s stance. The incident has reignited debate over the intersection of activism and business in public life.