Priyanka Tiwari
Share
Suspense crime, Digital Desk : A progressive activist and Ben & Jerry's co-founder, Ben Cohen, was arrested while attending a Senate Committee Hearing. He was protesting military funding to Israel and the ongoing genocide in Gaza.
Gaoled for Senate Disruption
Cohen stormed into a Senate Committee hearing with six other protestors. They interrupted a presentation by Secretary of Health Robert F. Kennedy Jr. During the presentation, Cohen began shouting about the Gaza Genocide and the American spending cuts. Capitol Police was called to remove him along with the other shouters but their removal was not passive.
Legal Ramifications
According to Capitol Police, Cohen is being charged under D.C. law as the obstructing and crowding the enforcing the peace statute, also known as the catch-all statute. He is facing the most basic charge leveled at protestors. The other six attendees face more serious charges including police assault.
Exonerated, Cohen gave an interview in which he claimed protest was a human reaction. He goes on to argue that funding “20 billion worth of bombs” for Israel is ruthless and counter democratic. He mentions how countless citizens don’t approve of U.S aggression towards foreigners. Cohen goes on to state that American involvement in foreign military activities is not something anyone wants.
I told Congress they're killing poor kids in Gaza by buying bombs, and they're paying for it by kicking poor kids off Medicaid in the US. This was the authorities' response. pic.twitter.com/uOf7xrzzWM
— Ben Cohen (@YoBenCohen) May 14, 2025
Violence is a direct attack against the values of the united states of america, as stated by Cohen.
Cohen scrutinized the American involvement in what he referred to as the ‘massacre’ of civilians residing in Gaza. Noted the destabilizing spending of the U.S budget in terms of warfare, and pointed out a poll conducted by Pew Research Center indicating loss of support for Israel, particularly by democrats.
Outspoken Supporter of Such Policies
Cohen has always been an openly recognized antagonist towards any Israeli government policies, having joined a host of other Jewish leaders in anti AIPAC lobbying campaigns. As previously stated, ‘I understand that i have a higher profile than most people, so I raise my voice. But I speak for millions.’
Context: War in Gaza
The Isreal Gaza conflict stems from the Hamas invasion on the 7th of October, which resulted in the death of 1218, predominantly being non military personnel. This continuous warfare has caused emaciation and severe casualties of non-combat civilians, causing an increase in the bulk of the world to protest over the dire conditions for humanity in Gaza.
Read More: Jemima Goldsmith Appeals to Elon Musk Over Grok's Information on X
