Ben & Jerry’s Fans Boycotting After Parent Company Fired CEO Over Political Activism

Fans of the favored ice cream model Ben & Jerry’s at the moment are boycotting the corporate after accusing dad or mum firm Unilever of firing the model’s CEO over social media activism.

Ben & Jerry’s CEO David Stever was faraway from his place on March 3. A lawsuit filed within the U.S. District Court docket for the Southern District of New York on Tuesday alleges that Stever’s termination was resulting from his “dedication to Ben & Jerry’s Social Mission and Important Model Integrity … slightly than any real issues concerning his efficiency historical past.”

Stever was fired after Unilever despatched out a number of threats to staff, warning them that they might be fired “ought to they fail to adjust to Unilever’s efforts to silence the Social Mission.”

Social media customers shortly took to on-line platforms to name for boycotts in opposition to the corporate following Stever’s termination.

“BOYCOTT Ben & Jerry’s. They eliminated the CEO that stood with us. Your greenback has A LOT of energy. Use it properly,” mentioned one person.

“I’ll by no means eat Ben and Jerry’s once more. Free Palestine,” mentioned one other person.

“Oh that is it, we’re not utilizing Unilever merchandise anymore!” mentioned a 3rd.

“BOYCOTT UNILEVER (and no do not buy Ben & Jerry to help them as a result of it provides cash to Unilever),” wrote one other.

“According to the phrases of the acquisition settlement, selections on the appointment, compensation and elimination of the Ben & Jerry’s CEO might be made by Unilever after good religion session and dialogue with the B&J’s Unbiased Board… (W)e are upset that the confidentiality of an worker profession dialog has been made public,” mentioned Unilever in an announcement to CNN.

Ben & Jerry’s has a prolific historical past of brand name activism, advocating for “non-partisan, progressive causes” together with local weather justice, marketing campaign finance reform and pro-Palestine causes.

In November of 2024, the corporate filed a lawsuit in opposition to Unilever claiming that it is dad or mum firm responded to its pro-Palestinian advocacy with “inappropriate muzzling.”