Ben Cohen, co-founder of Ben & Jerry’s ice cream, was arrested on Wednesday at Capitol Hill during a Senate hearing featuring Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the head of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
The Capitol Police confirmed that Cohen was among seven individuals detained after disrupting the hearing. While Cohen was arrested on suspicion of obstruction, other protesters faced additional charges for resisting arrest and assaulting police officers, although the specifics of those charges remain unclear.
During the hearing, protesters shouted, “RFK will kill someone with hatred!” as Kennedy began his opening remarks. The chant intensified, with more voices joining in, expressing their disdain for his statements.
As chaos unfolded, multiple individuals were escorted out, prompting the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions to suspend the session, according to Senator Bill Cassidy of Louisiana. He noted that confusion isn’t tolerated during the committee’s proceedings while Cohen was being led away.
Cohen had previously been arrested for protesting outside the Department of Homeland Security in 2023, where he aimed to block access to a building related to Julian Assange’s detention.
Ben & Jerry’s has often been a target for criticism from Republicans due to its progressive activism, which includes vocal opposition to various political figures, notably Donald Trump.
The brand has maintained its progressive reputation since its establishment in 1978, even continuing its advocacy after being acquired by Unilever in 2000. Notably, in 2021, they decided to stop selling their products in Israeli territories in the West Bank.
