Ben & Jerry’s Co-Founders Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield have issued a challenge to members of Congress. The two business owners have called on federal lawmakers to end qualified immunity for police officers across the country.
“Ending qualified immunity will bring accountability for police and justice for the victims whose rights have been violated. We know that the Senate right now is involved in negotiations and we are here to tell them that ending qualified immunity must be part of the agreement,” Greenfield said.
Qualified immunity is a statute that often protects police officers and police departments from civil lawsuits Democratic lawmakers have pushed for an end to qualified immunity, Republican leaders like Senator Mitch McConnell have argued that removing qualified immunity would make it more difficult for cops to do their jobs.
Greenfield and Cohen are not only calling on Congress to end qualified immunity via a statement. The duo is also leading an organization called the Campaign to End Qualified Immunity. Former after the murder of George Floyd, the organization is a “coalition of business leaders, creative artists, athletes, advocates and lawyers” that is pushing for legislation that will hold police officers accountable for the actions.
“The people who get abused by the police don’t look like me. They’re usually poor and disproportionately black,” Cohen said.
“But it is only when people who look like me stand up and demand it that we will finally eliminate qualified immunity and cops will be held accountable.”
What a day! Ben and Jerry finished handing out Ben’s book “Above the Law” to Senators and their lovely staffers, pictured below! It’s time for our lawmakers to demand equal justice for ALL victims of police brutality and #EndQualifiedImmunity! pic.twitter.com/wENcgzHHui
— The Campaign to End Qualified Immunity (@campaigntoendqi) May 20, 2021
