Jerry quits Ben and Jerry’s ice cream over his political views

BURLINGTON, Vt. (WCAX/Gray News) - Ben and Jerry’s cofounder Jerry Greenfield has resigned after 47 years.

Cofounder Ben Cohen shared Greenfield’s resignation statement on X Tuesday night.

“Standing up for the values of justice, equity, and our shared humanity has never been more important, and yet Ben & Jerry’s has been silenced, sidelined for fear of upsetting those in power,” Greenfield said in a statement. “And it’s happening at a time when our country’s current administration is attacking civil rights, voting rights of immigrants, women, and the LGBTQ community.”

EN ESPAÑOL | Renuncia cofundador de Ben & Jerry’s, alegando que su independencia ha sido sofocada

Greenfield’s resignation is over a disagreement with parent company Unilever, which has owned Ben and Jerry’s for 25 years. Part of the deal was that Greenfield and Cohen would keep the autonomy to pursue their values.

Greenfield and Cohen have continued speaking out in support of peace, justice and human rights, but Greenfield said that it started to change recently.

Last week, he and Cohen asked Unilever to spin off their former company so it could operate independently.

Unilever said no and denies it is silencing the co-founders.