Ben & Jerry’s Co-Founders Arrested During ‘Democracy Awakening’ Protests Outside US Capitol Over Money In Politics

Ben Cohen (right) and Jerry Greenfield, the founders of Ben & Jerry's ice cream, listen to U.S. Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders speak at a campaign event in Exeter, New Hampshire, Feb. 5, 2016.

Photo: REUTERS/Rick Wilking

The co-founders of Ben & Jerry's ice cream were arrested at the U.S. Capitol Monday during widespread protests over the role of money in politics, according to media reports. About 300 people, including Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield, were taken into custody for being part of the “Democracy Awakening” protests.
The Vermont-based ice cream company's website said Monday that its co-founders joined the protest because they believed "if you care about something, you have to be willing to risk it all — your reputation, your values, your business — for the greater good." Police reportedly said that those arrested were charged with crowding, obstructing or incommoding, and were released on-scene after being processed. However, authorities did not reveal the identities of those arrested.
“Democracy Awakening” mobilized to "protect voting rights, get big money out of politics and demand a fair hearing and an up or down vote on President Obama's Supreme Court nominee," its website said.
More than 1,200 people were arrested since the protests began on April 11, ABC News reported, citing police.
According to reports, Cohen and Greenfield are scheduled to campaign for Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders in Delaware. Earlier this year, Cohen made a limited-edition ice cream flavor in support of Sanders, called "Bernie's Yearning."