On Wednesday (Could 15), Well being Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. was testifying earlier than the Senate Well being, Schooling, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee on Capitol Hill when he was interrupted by a number of activists who chanted, “RFK kills folks with AIDS.” Kennedy jumped up from his seat, reacting to the commotion as Cohen yelled, “Congress pays for bombs to kill youngsters in Gaza,” and “They should let meals into Gaza, they should let meals [in] to ravenous youngsters!” earlier than he was detained by Capitol Law enforcement officials.
In a submit on X, previously Twitter, Cohen shared a video of the protest as seen on CSPAN earlier than he was grabbed by cops. The video then confirmed him being walked out of the listening to in handcuffs. “I advised Congress they’re killing poor youngsters in Gaza by shopping for bombs, and so they’re paying for it by kicking poor youngsters off Medicaid within the US,” he wrote. “This was the authorities’ response.” Cohen has been charged with incommoding, or inconveniencing others, in line with the Capitol Police. The cost carries a penalty of 90 days in jail and a $500 nice if convicted. Cohen could be launched later, however six different activists who had been arrested are nonetheless in custody.
The vocal protest set the tone for Kennedy’s listening to, which confirmed him being fuzzy regarding a number of cuts made by Well being and Human Providers to folks’s healthcare plans. New Jersey Senator Andy Kim grilled Kennedy concerning the elimination of the World Commerce Middle well being plan for these affected after the 9/11 assaults, which have been restored. “However why had been they minimize within the first place?” he requested.
Thre 74-year-old has been a staunch progressive activist for years, having signed his identify to a letter by A Assertion From Jewish Individuals Opposing AIPAC, which requires an finish to the infuluence of lobbyists engaged on behalf of the Israeli authorities. Cohen and Jerry Greenfield, the opposite founder, have been extremely vocal about their political views which embrace criticism of Israel’s occupation of the West Financial institution. The corporate is usually owned by Unilever since 2000, and the pair have been at odds with Unilever, suing them final 12 months over allegations that it fired a chief model govt who tried to indicate help for Palestinian refugees.