Ben & Jerry’s co-founder Ben Cohen arrested during RFK Jr. hearing protests against AIDS policies and Gaza war. Read about his activism and political
Ben Cohen, co-founder of the iconic ice cream brand Ben & Jerry’s, was forcibly removed by Capitol Police during a Senate hearing featuring Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. on May 14. The incident occurred as Cohen and a group of activists disrupted Kennedy’s testimony, chanting, “RFK kills people with AIDS!” The protest highlighted Kennedy’s controversial stance on vaccines and HIV/AIDS science, which has drawn sharp criticism from medical professionals and advocacy groups.
The hearing, attended by Democratic and Republican lawmakers, focused on Kennedy’s leadership of the HHS amid a proposed budget that includes significant cuts to the agency. While Democrats grilled Kennedy on vaccine safety and the measles outbreak, Republicans emphasized his “Make America Healthy Again” initiative—a $500 million program targeting chronic diseases. Meanwhile, Cohen’s arrest underscored broader tensions over Kennedy’s appointment, opposed by 87 healthcare groups, including the International Association of Providers of AIDS Care, who argue his views endanger public health.
Cohen, a longtime liberal activist, was also in Washington, D.C., to protest Israel’s war in Gaza. Earlier that day, he joined Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-MI) and advocates at a press conference condemning U.S. support for Israel amid escalating violence. “We will not look away as Israel starves Gaza’s children,” Cohen declared, accusing the Biden administration of complicity in humanitarian crises. His dual protests reflect a surge in progressive activism linking domestic and global issues.
Kennedy, a polarizing figure known for questioning established medical science, has faced backlash for amplifying debunked claims about HIV/AIDS and vaccines. Critics argue his leadership threatens decades of public health progress, particularly as the HHS oversees critical programs for disease prevention and healthcare access.
The incident marks Cohen’s latest foray into high-profile advocacy. Ben & Jerry’s, celebrated for its social justice campaigns, has not publicly commented on his arrest. However, Cohen’s actions align with the company’s history of supporting progressive causes, from racial equity to climate action.
As debates over Kennedy’s policies and Gaza intensify, Cohen’s arrest signals a growing rift between grassroots activists and institutional power—a clash likely to define political discourse in the Trump era
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