The two founders of Ben & Jerry’s ice cream were arrested Monday at a protest at the U.S. Capitol.
The protests began early this month with a 140-mile march from Philadelphia to D.C. and continued with a week-long sit-in to demand Congressional action on voting rights and campaign finance. Cohen and Greenfield were among some 1,300 peaceful protesters who were arrested. Actress Rosario Dawson, who in recent months has been an active and vocal supporter of Bernie Sanders, was also among those arrested.
Ben & Jerry’s dedicated an entire page on the company’s site to the co-founders’ arrest. Titled “Why Ben and Jerry Just Got Arrested,” it includes photos of the two amidst crowds of protesters and statements from the duo about the importance of the rallies.
“The history of our country is that nothing happens until people start putting their bodies on the line and risk getting arrested,” Cohen is quoted as saying.
The page, which encourages others to get involved in “the fight for justice,” explains that “if you care about something, you have to be willing to risk it all – your reputation, your values, your business – for the greater good.” The page concludes with the suggestion that “sometimes, when something really matters, you have to put your body on the line. You have to take a stand.”
Our co-founders, board members, & employees participating in direct action on Capitol steps for #DemocracyAwakens pic.twitter.com/n2EKrqJZUA
— Ben & Jerry's (@benandjerrys) April 18, 2016
Dawson, who was arrested last Friday, spoke on camera about why she felt it was important to take part in the protests. “I wanted, for me personally, to be in solidarity with the other folks who put themselves on the line,” said the actress. “And also just to bring attention to this.”
Agencies/Canadajournal