Ben & Jerry's Co-founder Arrested During Senate Protest

Ben & Jerry's co-founder Ben Cohen was arrested in Washington D.C. on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, following his participation in a protest during a Senate budget hearing. Cohen and six others disrupted the hearing, shouting their concerns about US funding for the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and cuts to domestic healthcare programs. "Congress kills poor kids in Gaza by buying bombs, and pays for it by kicking kids off Medicaid in the US," Cohen stated during the protest, as seen in video footage released by Code Pink. The footage shows police officers escorting Cohen from the Dirksen Senate Office Building. The protest highlights the ongoing debate over US foreign and domestic policy priorities. The arrest of a well-known figure like Ben Cohen brought attention to the protesters’ cause and sparked discussions about the ethical implications of US foreign policy and its impact on vulnerable populations both domestically and internationally. The event serves as a reminder of the power of direct action in political activism and the ongoing complexities of balancing national security with social responsibility.