Ben & Jerry's Co-Founder Among Those Arrested at RFK Jr.'s Senate Hearing

Ben & Jerry's Co-Founder Arrested During RFK Jr. Senate Hearing Washington, D.C. – May 15, 2025 – Ben Cohen, a co-founder of the ice cream company Ben & Jerry's, was arrested yesterday along with six other individuals for protesting during the testimony of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. before the Senate HELP Committee. The protesters disrupted the hearing by shouting about Medicaid cuts and the ongoing conflict in Gaza. According to Ryan Nobles, Chief Capitol Hill correspondent for NBC News, "These protesters were yelling about Medicaid cuts and the war in Gaza. They were physically removed by Capitol Police and then charged with things like crowding, obstructing, and incommoding." Protesting inside a Capitol office building is against the law. Cohen, known for his activism, later spoke at an event with Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib, discussing humanitarian conditions in Gaza. His arrest highlights the ongoing tensions surrounding political discourse and protest in the nation's capital. The incident serves as a reminder of the delicate balance between freedom of expression and maintaining order within government buildings.