Ben & Jerry’s co-founder arrested after disrupting Senate hearing with pro-Gaza protest
Share this @internewscast.com

A co-founder of the Ben & Jerry’s ice cream brand, Ben Cohen, was taken into custody on Wednesday during a Senate committee meeting. This meeting featured Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as a speaker, according to a statement from a U.S. Capitol Police representative.

Cohen was among seven individuals detained during a session organized by the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee.

Video from the event depicted several demonstrators standing up, holding placards, and one loudly proclaiming, “RFK kills people with AIDS,” while Kennedy was speaking. Shortly after, Cohen stood and blamed Congress for contributing to the deaths of children in Gaza during the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas.

Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La., the committee’s chairman, asked that Capitol Police remove the protesters from the hearing room.

Officers physically removed Cohen and six other pro-Gaza protesters, and charged them with crowding, obstructing and incommoding — a misdemeanor offense. It is against the law to protest inside congressional buildings.

All but Cohen also faced charges of resisting arrest and assault on a police office, Capitol Police said.

“That was a made for C-SPAN moment,” Cassidy said, before the hearing resumed.

In a video taken shortly after his arrest that he posted to X, Cohen can be heard repeating his message of protest.

“Congress kills poor kids in Gaza by buying bombs and pays for it by kicking kids off Medicaid in the U.S.,” Cohen said, as he was escorted away in restraints by police.

“Congress and the senators need to ease the siege,” Cohen added. “They need to let food into Gaza. They need to let food to starving kids.”

Cohen has since been released from police custody.

Ben and Jerry’s did not immediately respond to a request for comment Wednesday night.

Ben & Jerry’s leadership has been critical of the Israeli government over the years. In 2021, the company said it would stop selling its ice cream in the occupied territories.

“We believe it is inconsistent with our values for Ben & Jerry’s ice cream to be sold in the Occupied Palestinian Territory,” the company said in a statement at the time.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like

Secret Service Agents Disrupt Network Used for Assassination Threats

NEW YORK – Federal agents from the U.S. Secret Service have dismantled…

Individual faces felony arson charges after blaze at Punta Gorda synagogue

PUNTA GORDA, Fla. (WFLA) — A man from Punta Gorda has been…

Discovery of Body in Water Beneath SR-520 Bridge on Merritt Island

MERRITT ISLAND, Fla. – Authorities found a man’s body on Monday in…

EO Purchases Former Abingdon Food City Location

ABINGDON, Va. (WJHL) — EO Companies announced Tuesday it acquired the former…

Las Vegas Resident Disputes with Homeowner’s Association About Festive Lighting

LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — Rose Falocco, a resident of the Nevada Trail…

Teen Motorcyclist Dies After Colliding with Deer and Being Hit by Car in Flagler County

FLAGLER COUNTY, Fla. – An 18-year-old from Palm Coast lost his life…

Super Typhoon Ragasa triggers rescue operations in the Philippines

IE 11 is not compatible. For the best experience, please access our…

9 Key Insights from Kamala Harris’ Latest Book

Former Vice President Kamala Harris’ memoir detailing her unsuccessful 2024 presidential campaign…

D4vd Unveils Casket on Stage and Debuts Music Video Featuring Body in Trunk

Emerging details reveal singer D4vd’s peculiar actions before the discovery of Celeste…

Here’s the Lowdown: President Trump’s United Nations Address

IE 11 is not supported. For an optimal experience visit our site…

Family of Deceased ‘Star Trek’ Star Nichelle Nichols Files Lawsuit Against Hospital

SILVER CITY, N.M. (KRQE) – The family of the actress known for…

Illinois Seeks Public Support to Combat Invasive Species Spread

The Illinois Department of Agriculture is alerting residents about a troublesome invasive…