Activism has always been at the heart of everything Ben & Jerry’s does. We believe that ice cream can change the world, and our mission has always been to speak the truth, eliminate social and racial injustices, and campaign for peace.

After four decades of unrestrained activism that defined the company’s purpose and brand, Ben and Jerry’s was prevented from pursuing its mission through the silencing and muzzling of the independent board, which is responsible for its social mission, brand integrity, and product.

And we’ve got the receipts. Read the full timeline of the silencing as the fight to protect Ben & Jerry’s independence becomes more urgent:

Clampdown on the social mission

2021

Occupied Territories Decision

Ben & Jerry’s announces it will stop sales in Israeli settlements. Unilever blocks the move, sparking lawsuits over mission control.

2022

The First Lawsuit

The Independent Board sues after Unilever overrules its decision to stop sales in Israeli settlements. Settlement reaffirms the Board’s authority. Unilever promises to honour terms of the settlement.

2023

Ben & Jerry’s is Silenced on Call for Ceasefire

The Independent Board tries to make public statements calling for a ceasefire and an end to the slaughter in Gaza. These attempts at communication are blocked.

2024

Ben and Jerry’s is Silenced on Call for Safe Passage of Palestinian Refugees

The Independent Board intends to publicly advocate for the safe passage of Palestinian refugees. Once again, these efforts are silenced.

Ben and Jerry’s is Silenced on Support for Students Protesting at U.S. Colleges

As US college students take to their campuses to protest the slaughter in Gaza, the Independent Board wants to show solidarity with their cause. The pattern continues, and these efforts are silenced.

Ben and Jerry’s is Silenced on Calls for Halt in U.S. Military Aid to Israel

The US continues to distribute Military Aid to Israel, despite the ongoing humanitarian crisis. The board’s attempts to call for this aid to be halted are muzzled.

Unilever Fails to Honor Terms of Settlement

The Independent Board is blocked from donating to human rights groups. In a lawsuit, it’s set out that Unilever blocked Ben & Jerry’s from donating to Jewish Voice for Peace, saying it seeks neutrality on Israel–Palestine. Meanwhile, Unilever donates €500,000 to Magen David Adom, an auxiliary service to the IDF.

Unlever fails to pay Palestinian vendor of fair-trade almonds.

Ben & Jerry’s receives its almonds for ice cream from a decades-old fair-trade vendor. In legal filings against Unilever, it was set out by the board how Unilever had failed to make these payments, a contractual obligation.

Jan 2025

Trump Criticism Blocked

Ben & Jerry’s wants to make public statements on issues like minimum wage, universal healthcare, abortion, and climate change under the new administration. These are blocked — because they specifically mention Donald Trump.

Magnum Restructuring

Unilever fails to engage with the Independent Board regarding how the restructuring and Magnum’s upcoming IPO will meet obligations set out in the merger agreement — including how the independent board’s authority over Social Mission and Brand Integrity will be impacted.

Mar 2025

CEO Removed

Longtime employee and mission ally David Stever is ousted as CEO by Unilever, with no consultation with the Independent Board. Under Stever’s tenure, Ben & Jerry’s Unilever’s ice cream portfolio and ranking as #2 in the Brand Authenticity Index in both 2023 and 2024.

A lawsuit accuses Unilever of ousting Stever because he allowed BNJ to speak out on social issues. Performance Reviews by Unilever set out in the lawsuit accused Stever of collaborating with the board.

June 2025

Silenced on Support of First Amendment

Unilever blocks Ben and Jerry’s from posting a defence of First Amendment rights, following the detention of Columbia graduate Mahmoud Khalil.

February 2025

Silenced on DEI

Unilever prevents Ben & Jerry’s from celebrating Black History Month and blocks DEI statements, according to reports in The Boston Globe.

Sept 2025

Ben’s Protest

Ben pickets outside Magnum’s Capital Markets Day and calls for Ben & Jerry’s independence, starting the #FreeBenAndJerrys movement.

Jerry Resigns

Jerry Greenfield resigns, declaring Unilever has silenced the company and broken its mission promise.

Ben & Jerry’s long record of advocacy

1978

On a Mission From Day One

Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield open their first scoop shop in a converted gas station in Burlington, Vermont. The company is built on a three-part mission: product, economic, and social. Activism is the heart of its identity.

1984

What’s the Doughboy Afraid Of?

Pillsbury (Häagen-Dazs owners) try to crush Ben & Jerry’s distribution. They fight back with the “What’s the Doughboy Afraid Of?” campaign turning it into a David vs. Goliath fight. Ben & Jerry’s win.

1988

Ben and Jerry stage a stunt in front of the White House, bringing a 900-pound Baked Alaska to protest Arctic drilling. Dessert as direct action.

1990s

Flavors for Justice

“Rainforest Crunch,” “Phish Food,” “One Sweet Whirled” — flavors double as campaigns for fair trade, climate action, and LGBTQ+ rights.

2000

Sale and Promise

Under shareholder pressure, Ben & Jerry’s sells to Unilever. The deal includes a promise: an Independent Board to oversee and safeguard the company’s social mission, values and brand integrity.

2011

Marriage Equality

“Chubby Hubby” flavor becomes “Hubby Hubby” to celebrate Vermont’s legalization of same-sex marriage.

2016

Black Lives Matter

Ben & Jerry’s openly backs BLM, one of the first big brands to take that stand.

2018

PeCAN Resist

The brand launches “PeCAN Resist” to oppose Trump’s regressive agenda.