Ben Cohen Arrested? What Happened To Ben Cohen Arrested?
by Alaguvelan M
Updated Jul 12, 2023
Who is Ben Cohen?
Ben Cohen is a prominent American businessman and social activist who co-founded Ben & Jerry's ice cream. Born on March 18, 1951, in Brooklyn, New York, Cohen was raised in a Jewish family that instilled in him a deep sense of social responsibility and social justice values.
Cohen attended a liberal Quaker-founded college in Pennsylvania before enrolling at Skidmore College in Saratoga Springs in 1970. It was there that he met his future business partner, Jerry Greenfield. After trying their hands at a few different business ventures, the two of them founded Ben & Jerry's ice cream in Burlington, Vermont, in 1978.
Under Cohen's leadership, Ben & Jerry's became known not only for its delicious and innovative ice cream flavors but also for its socially responsible business practices. The company prides itself on using ethically sourced ingredients and for championing progressive causes, such as supporting small-family farmers, promoting marriage equality, and advocating for environmental protection.
Cohen himself has been a vocal advocate for all of these causes and more, frequently using his platform to speak out on various social issues. In addition to his activism through Ben & Jerry's, Cohen has also been involved in various progressive campaigns, including working to reform campaign finance laws and protesting against the Keystone XL pipeline.
Ben Cohen is a passionate and committed advocate for social justice causes and an innovative entrepreneur who has built a socially responsible business from the ground up. He continues to be a leading voice in progressive activism, using his platform to effect change and raise awareness of important issues in his community and beyond.
Ben Cohen Arrested?
Ben Cohen, co-founder of the renowned ice cream brand Ben & Jerry's, made headlines on Thursday when he was arrested outside the Department of Justice during a protest in support of Wikileaks publisher Julian Assange.
In a tweet shared on Wednesday, Cohen had already announced his intention to "protest the criminalization of the free press and the prosecution" of Assange, fully aware that such an act would put him at risk of arrest.
Julian Assange, known for his involvement in leaking confidential military records, diplomatic cables, and controversial emails related to Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign, is a figure who elicits both admiration as a courageous whistleblower and disdain from U.S. officials who view him as a traitor responsible for compromising sensitive information.
Assange has been facing 17 charges under the Espionage Act since May 2019 and is currently fighting extradition while detained in a high-security prison in southeast London.
During the protest, Cohen joined forces with Jodie Evans, co-founder of the social justice organization CODEPINK, as they voiced their opposition to the charges against Assange.
In a video shared on social media, Cohen can be seen setting fire to a sign that reads "Freedom of the Press" while declaring, "Freedom of the press is going up in smoke." He then attempted to enter the Department of Justice building but was denied access by security guards. Consequently, Cohen and Evans reportedly sat on the steps in front of the entrance until they were handcuffed.
Cohen later provided an update on Twitter, revealing that both he and Evans had been released after approximately three hours in police custody. In his tweet, he called on President Biden to fulfill his promise, emphasizing that journalism should never be treated as a crime. Cohen concluded his message with the hashtags #Dropthecharges and #FreeAssange.
Known for their activism, Cohen and his co-founder Jerry Greenfield have a history of expressing their social and political beliefs through various means, including the creation of ice cream flavors that raise awareness of important issues. Examples include Justice Remix, dedicated to criminal justice reform, and Pecan Resist, aimed at resisting regressive policies associated with the previous administration.
Ben & Jerry's has consistently demonstrated its commitment to social consciousness through flavors like Save Our Swirled, drawing attention to climate change, and I Dough, I Dough, which celebrated the legalization of same-sex marriage.
What Happened To Ben Cohen Arrested?
Ben Cohen, the co-founder of the beloved ice cream brand Ben & Jerry’s, found himself in a surprising turn of events on July 6, 2023. Standing outside the Department of Justice (DOJ) building in Washington, D.C., he passionately voiced his support for Julian Assange, the controversial founder of WikiLeaks. Facing extradition to the United States on multiple counts under the Espionage Act, Assange's plight struck a chord with Cohen, known for his dedication to activism and social justice.
With unwavering determination, Cohen set a "Freedom of the Press" sign ablaze, proclaiming that a true democracy cannot exist without the freedom to report the truth. In an act of civil disobedience, he and Jodie Evans, co-founder of the influential feminist activist group CODEPINK, blocked the entrance to the DOJ building. Their peaceful protest against what they deemed an unjust law caught the attention of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) police, leading to their subsequent arrest. Fortunately, their time in custody lasted no more than three hours, and they were released.
Cohen wasted no time in leveraging his platform to call upon President Joe Biden to reconsider the charges against Assange, emphasizing that journalism should never be criminalized. In a tweet expressing his sense of fulfillment, he revealed his willingness to risk arrest for the cause he firmly believed in.
Joined by the passionate members of CODEPINK, Cohen and Evans made a powerful statement by obstructing the building's entrance, unwavering in their commitment for nearly an hour. Captured on video amidst a torrential downpour, Cohen's arrest showcased his steadfast resolve, epitomized by the fiery symbol of press freedom.
As he witnessed the sign engulfed in flames, Cohen uttered a poignant statement, "Freedom of the press is going up in smoke," encapsulating the gravity of the situation.
Following his release, Cohen took to social media to share the news, urging President Joe Biden to honor his promise and refrain from pursuing charges against Assange. With the hashtags #Dropthecharges and #FreeAssange, he sought to mobilize support and ensure justice prevailed.
In his journey from ice cream entrepreneur to activist, Cohen's unwavering stance on issues of social importance shines through. The arrest may have been a momentary setback, but his voice and commitment remain resolute, echoing the sentiment that freedom of the press should be fiercely protected.
Who Was Arrested in Washington DC Protesting Julian Assange's Prosecution?
Ben Cohen, the co-founder of the beloved Vermont-based ice cream brand Ben & Jerry’s, found himself in a surprising turn of events on Thursday in Washington, DC. Standing alongside the feminist activist group CODEPINK, he passionately protested against the US government's prosecution of Julian Assange, the publisher of Wikileaks.
As the rain poured down, Cohen and CODEPINK co-founder Jodie Evans defiantly sat in front of the Department of Justice (DOJ) building, blocking the entrance for nearly an hour. Their peaceful act of civil disobedience, captured on video, spoke volumes about their commitment to defending press freedom.
In a powerful moment, Cohen set a "Freedom of the Press" sign ablaze, symbolizing the concern that press freedoms were going up in smoke. Speaking out against the prosecution of Assange, Cohen emphasized that without freedom of the press, democracy itself is at stake. He firmly believed that Assange, as a truth revealer, should not be suffering for his actions.
Assange, currently held at the high-security Belmarsh Prison in southeast London, faces extradition to the United States on 18 counts related to the release of classified documents. Cohen expressed outrage over Assange's treatment, referring to his four years of solitary confinement as torture. He urged others to support Assange in any way possible, emphasizing his belief in Assange's innocence and the need to uphold the truth.
The indictment against Assange encompasses his involvement in publishing classified documents related to the Iraq war and Guantanamo Bay. The severity of the charges could lead to a potential prison sentence of up to 175 years.
Numerous journalists have condemned the prosecution of Assange, considering it an assault on the freedom of the press. Cohen, known for his activism and outspoken liberal views, traveled to Washington, DC fully prepared to be arrested, viewing it as a powerful way to confront injustice.
Reflecting on his decision to engage in civil disobedience, Cohen expressed his satisfaction with taking a stand against an unjust law. For him, getting arrested was the ultimate act of defiance, amplifying his fight against injustice.
Earlier in the week, Ben & Jerry’s ignited debate with a bold Independence Day message on social media, highlighting the historical context of stolen land and calling for its return. The controversial post sparked intense discussions among supporters and critics, illustrating the brand's willingness to address social issues head-on.
In a world where ice cream and activism converge, Ben Cohen continues to be a driving force for change, using his platform to challenge societal norms and advocate for justice.
Ben Cohen Arrested - FAQs
Ben Cohen was arrested for protesting in support of Julian Assange, the founder of WikiLeaks, outside the Department of Justice (DOJ) building in Washington, D.C.
Julian Assange is facing extradition to the United States on 18 counts of violating the Espionage Act for publishing classified documents related to the Iraq war and Guantanamo Bay.
During the protest, Ben Cohen lit a "Freedom of the Press" sign on fire and voiced his concerns about the criminalization of the free press and the prosecution of Julian Assange.
Ben Cohen was joined by the feminist activist group CODEPINK, including its co-founder Jodie Evans.
Yes, Ben Cohen was released after spending approximately three hours in custody.