When it comes to ending qualified immunity (QI), Forbes notices that Ben and Jerry refuse to stay on the sidelines. In fact, the duo remain front and center. As Forbes reports, since George Floyd’s death, “many well-known companies and organizations” have spoken out against police brutality and social injustice.
Among the most vocal? Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield, the co-founders of Ben & Jerry’s.
In response to George Floyd’s death, the co-founders of Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream have amped up their efforts to bring about meaningful police reform. Specifically, their efforts to repeal qualified immunity. This is the doctrine that shields bad cops from civil lawsuits. For example, this past year Ben and Jerry launched the Campaign to End Qualified Immunity. Ben also wrote a book, Above the Law: How “Qualified Immunity” Protects Violent Police, with a foreword by Killer Mike. And most recently, Ben and R&B singer and activist Aloe Blacc released UNACCOUNTABLE, a new podcast about ending QI.
Forbes’ article highlights the press conference Ben, Jerry, and other CTEQI partners held on May 11. Ben and Jerry held the conference outside the Supreme Court. The purpose of this press conference, Forbes notes, was to urge “Congress to end qualified immunity.”
During the press event, Jerry spoke about the importance of accountability. He told reporters how, “in the business world, accountability is the key to achieving results. This is even more critical when police are allowed to brutalize someone unjustifiably or murder people in the streets.”
With their efforts to end qualified immunity, Ben and Jerry make accountability a priority. As Jerry said, “Ending qualified immunity will bring accountability for police and justice for the victims whose rights have been violated.”
Read the entire Forbes article on Ben and Jerry here.