However, some critics call Bush’s proposed legislation—and now Ben & Jerry’s—anti-police.
Jabari Paul, the company’s U.S. activism manager, revealed the launch of the new flavor, called “Change Is Brewing,” during a press conference with Bush. The limited-edition release is a cold brew coffee ice cream with marshmallow swirls and fudge brownies.
Paul said proceeds from sales of the new flavor will go towards groups working to transform public safety in America as part of the Vermont ice cream company’s commitment to advancing racial justice.
“The flavor supports the vision of the world in which every community is safe and everyone including Black and brown people can thrive,” Paul said.
Bush introduced the People’s Response Act in June. The $10 billion proposal would establish a division on community safety within the Department of Health and Human Services that would call upon non-police first responders for emergency situations stemming from mental health issues, substance use or other health or behavioral complications.
The Democratic Congresswoman has repeatedly called on her party to “defund the police,” a stance she regularly defends. Ben & Jerry’s is also known for supporting progressive political causes.
The company supported Black Lives Matter in a 2016 blog post that mentioned police and said “to be silent about violence and threats to the lives and well-being of black people is to be complicit in that violence and those threats.”
Ben & Jerry’s has also released statements in support of refugees and transgender people and promoted fighting back against white supremacy. Last year, the company teamed up with former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick for a nonfat frozen yogurt that donated proceeds to his social justice organization, Know Your Rights Camp.
Other flavors that have shown the company’s political stance include “Pecan Resist,” which carried a message of resistance towards discriminatory policies against people of color, women, the LGBTQ community, and others; “Justice ReMix’d,” for which the company partnered with Advancement Project National Office in supporting reforms that invest in people instead of prisons; and the flavors “Hubby Hubby,” “Apple-Y Ever After,” and Engagement Party," that all supported same-sex marriages and unions.
Going back further, Ben & Jerry’s celebrated Barack Obama’s presidency with 2009’s “Yes Pecan!,” and gave proceed to environmental causes with 1988’s “Rainforest Crunch.”
In July, the company made a controversial decision with the announcement it would no longer sell its products in the Israeli-occupied West Bank and contested east Jerusalem.
“Change Is Brewing” is already facing backlash from conservatives on social media, where many are criticizing Ben & Jerry’s for being too “woke.” Others have pledged to boycott the company, while this writer said the new flavor should be called “Commie Cream.”
Other Twitter users celebrated the news, though.
Ben & Jerry’s teamed up with Black-owned coffee and tea company Blk & Bold and New York’s Greyston Bakery for “Change Is Brewing.” Artist Laci Jordan designed the picture for the package, and the Movement for Black Lives also partnered with the company for the new flavor.
