Kathrine Frich
Capitol police dragged Cohen out of the chamber
Capitol police dragged Cohen out of the chamber.
A Furious Protest
Ben Cohen, co-founder of Ben & Jerry’s, made headlines for all the wrong reasons this week after launching into a furious protest at a Senate hearing.
The 74-year-old activist was filmed yelling at lawmakers before being forcibly removed by Capitol police.
Protest Explodes as RFK Jr. Testifies
The outburst took place during a Senate Health Committee hearing where Robert F. Kennedy Jr., recently appointed head of Health and Human Services, was testifying.
Cohen interrupted the proceedings to call out U.S. involvement in the war in Gaza, shouting over senators and shaking the chamber.
“You’re Killing Poor Kids!” – Cohen Shouts
In jaw-dropping footage, Cohen can be heard yelling:
“You’re killing poor kids in Gaza and paying for it by cutting Medicaid for kids here!”
His voice echoed through the Senate as stunned onlookers turned toward the commotion. Officers quickly rushed in to detain him.
Cuffed and Carried Out of the Room
Capitol police dragged Cohen out of the chamber while he continued to shout about the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
He pleaded for lawmakers to “ease the siege” and “let food into Gaza,” accusing the U.S. government of supporting atrocities with taxpayer money.
Twitter Tirade Follows Arrest
Not long after his arrest, Cohen took to Twitter to defend his actions. “I told Congress they’re killing poor kids in Gaza by buying bombs,” he wrote. “And they’re paying for it by kicking poor kids off Medicaid.” His message included footage of him being removed in handcuffs.
“This Isn’t the America I Believed In”
In a follow-up post, Cohen said he could no longer stay silent. “I can’t call myself an American and not put my body on the line,” he stated. He condemned U.S. foreign policy as a betrayal of justice and claimed the country had abandoned its core values.
Joined by Rep. Rashida Tlaib Before the Hearing
Earlier that day, Cohen had appeared at a pro-Palestinian advocacy event alongside Michigan congresswoman Rashida Tlaib. The event focused on urging a ceasefire in Gaza and increasing humanitarian aid. Cohen’s Capitol protest was reportedly a continuation of that effort.
RFK Jr. Heckled by Others Too
Cohen wasn’t the only protestor making waves. Others interrupted RFK Jr.’s testimony with chants like “RFK kills people with AIDS” and “anti-vax, anti-science, anti-America.” The hearing quickly descended into shouting and disruptions, drawing nationwide attention.
RFK Jr. Under Fire for Vaccine Claims
Already controversial for promoting debunked vaccine theories, RFK Jr. faced tough questions from senators. His prior statements linking vaccines to autism, widely discredited by experts, have reignited calls for his removal from office—especially after the explosive hearing.