Ben Cohen, co-founder of Ben & Jerry’s, was arrested during a heated protest inside a Senate hearing on Capitol Hill as Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. delivered his testimony.
The disruption unfolded when demonstrators began shouting accusations, including claims that Kennedy “kills people with hate,” forcing the session to pause temporarily. Cohen was among seven individuals detained by Capitol Police. He was charged with crowding, obstructing, or incommoding, while others also faced charges such as resisting arrest and assaulting an officer.
Video captured Cohen being escorted out by law enforcement as protesters decried U.S. policies on foreign military aid. Cohen later said his protest focused on drawing attention to American support for Israeli military actions in Gaza and their humanitarian toll on Palestinians. He also criticized proposals to cut domestic programs like Medicaid while continuing to fund overseas operations.
Cohen’s arrest adds to his long history of political activism. Though Ben & Jerry’s has been under corporate ownership since 2000, its co-founder has remained a vocal advocate for progressive causes.