In a surprising turn of events, Ben Cohen, co-founder of Ben and Jerry’s ice cream, was apprehended by Department of Homeland Security (DHS) police on Thursday for staging a protest outside the Department of Justice (DOJ) building in Washington, D.C. His demonstration aimed to draw attention to the detainment of Julian Assange, the controversial figure currently held at Belmarsh Prison in London and facing potential extradition to the United States.
Witnesses captured images of Cohen sitting alongside a fellow protester carrying a sign that read “free Assange,” while law enforcement and security personnel monitored the scene. Later, photographs released by the Associated Press depicted Cohen being escorted away in handcuffs by DHS officers.
When approached for comment, Fox News Digital contacted the DHS, but no response was provided at the time.
Cohen, known for his transition from an ice cream mogul to a political activist, clarified that his presence outside the DOJ was unrelated to Ben and Jerry’s recent controversies concerning Israel and the Palestinian territories, as well as the company’s statements regarding the “stolen” land on which the United States is situated.
Expressing his outrage, Cohen asserted that Julian Assange is a nonviolent individual who deserves the presumption of innocence. He condemned the prolonged period of solitary confinement that Assange has endured for four years, describing it as a form of torture. Cohen passionately argued that Assange exposed the truth, and as a result, he is now suffering. He emphasized the importance of supporting Assange and preserving democracy, which is built upon the principles of press freedom. These statements were reported by CODEPINK, a left-wing activist organization, during the demonstration.
This is not the first time Cohen has faced legal consequences for his activism. In 2018, he was arrested for disorderly conduct during a protest in Vermont, where he voiced concerns about excessive noise generated by Vermont Air National Guard jets.
The arrest of Ben Cohen marks another chapter in his ongoing pursuit of social justice and his unwavering commitment to raising awareness about critical issues, such as the treatment of Julian Assange and the protection of press freedom.