Ben Cohen, co-founder of the progressive Ben & Jerrys ice cream brand, found himself in handcuffs on Wednesday following a disruptive protest during a Senate hearing.
The protest, which Cohen led, was characterized by its vehement pro-Gaza stance and took place as Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. was delivering testimony.
Cohen's actions, as reported by NBC News, included accusations directed at Congress for "killing poor kids in Gaza" and an unusual attempt to connect Medicaid funding to the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict. The disruption prompted Capitol Police to intervene, resulting in the removal of Cohen and six other protesters from the hearing room. The situation escalated when a protester accused, "RFK kills people with AIDS," leading Cohen to launch into a fervent speech blaming the United States for the deaths of Palestinian children.
Senator Bill Cassidy (R-LA), who presided over the hearing, acted promptly to restore order.
"Members of the audience are reminded disruptions will not be permitted while the committee conducts its business. Capitol Police are asked to remove the individuals from the hearing room," Cassidy declared as Cohen was escorted out by Capitol Police.
As Cohen was being led away, he continued to voice his grievances, exclaiming, "Congress kills poor kids in Gaza by buying bombs and pays for it by kicking kids off Medicaid in the US." He further asserted, "They need to let food into Gaza. They need to let food to starving kids. Congress is paying to bomb poor kids in Gaza and paying for it by kicking poor kids off Medicaid in the US."
Following his release from custody, Cohen reiterated his stance on social media platform X, stating, "I told Congress theyre killing poor kids in Gaza by buying bombs, and theyre paying for it by kicking poor kids off Medicaid in the US. This was the authorities response."
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