Ben Cohen, co-founder of Ben & Jerry's ice cream company, faced a dramatic confrontation with law enforcement during a heated Senate hearing on Capitol Hill.
According to Fox News, Cohen was among seven protesters arrested Wednesday afternoon after disrupting Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s testimony before the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions.
The protest erupted as Kennedy began his opening statement, with demonstrators chanting, "RFK kills people with hate!" The disruption forced committee chairman Sen. Bill Cassidy to temporarily pause the proceedings while Capitol Police removed the protesters from the hearing room.
Capitol Police confirmed that while Cohen was charged with obstruction, other protesters faced more serious allegations, including resisting arrest and assaulting a police officer. Video footage captured by The Daily Caller showed Cohen being forcibly removed from the hearing room by law enforcement officers.
The incident marked a significant disruption to the Senate HELP Committee hearing, prompting Chairman Cassidy to remind the audience that such interruptions would not be tolerated. After the protesters were removed, Cassidy attempted to lighten the mood by describing the event as "a made-for-C-SPAN moment."
This arrest adds to Cohen's history of political activism and civil disobedience. In 2023, he was detained outside the Department of Homeland Security building while protesting Julian Assange's detainment.
The ice cream company's involvement in social and political causes dates back to its founding in 1978. Even after selling to Unilever in 2000, Ben & Jerry's maintained an independent board of directors to continue its progressive advocacy work.
Their activism has often put them at odds with Republican politicians, who frequently criticize the company and its founders for their support of progressive causes and politicians. The company has also been vocal in its opposition to Trump's policies.
In 2021, Ben & Jerry's made headlines with a controversial decision to stop selling its products in the West Bank, which the company refers to as "Occupied Palestinian Territory." This move exemplified their willingness to take strong political stances despite potential business consequences.
During the hearing, multiple protesters joined in the chanting, creating a chaotic atmosphere that disrupted the formal proceedings. The situation required immediate intervention from Capitol Police to restore order.
Law enforcement authorities have not disclosed the exact number of protesters who received more serious charges beyond obstruction. The incident highlighted the growing tensions surrounding Kennedy's leadership at HHS.
The protest's timing and location demonstrated the increasingly contentious nature of Kennedy's Senate appearances, with opposition groups becoming more vocal in their criticism of his policies and statements.
Ben Cohen's arrest at the Senate HELP Committee hearing represents another chapter in the ongoing intersection of business leadership and political activism. The ice cream company co-founder was one of seven individuals arrested after disrupting Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s testimony with protests and chants. The incident resulted in various charges against the protesters, ranging from obstruction to assault on a police officer while highlighting the contentious nature of Kennedy's leadership at HHS.
