Ben & Jerry’s asks Joe Biden to add fighting for LGBT rights, racial equality and cannabis justice to his to-do list

Ben & Jerry’s has never been afraid to make ice cream political.

Already this year, the famous Vermont-based dairy experts have ruffled feathers with an explicit call to impeach the President and plans to release a flavour dedicated to widely celebrated, yet undoubtedly controversial athlete Colin Kaepernick.

Clearly, they’re up for the fight.

However, with Joe Biden’s inauguration as the 46th President of the United States imminent, the brand has now gone one step further.

Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield protesting for the Green New Deal (Credit: PA)

Ben & Jerry’s demands for the first 100 days

In a lengthy statement on their website, Ben & Jerry’s outlined a list of demands for the incoming President ahead of his first 100 days in office.

READ MORE: Ben & Jerry’s answers calls for impeachment-flavoured ice cream after

Included on the list, which also outlines why the first 100 days are so crucial, are requests to:

“Ensure that anyone who instigated, encouraged, or participated in the failed coup on January 6 is held accountable

“Protect voting for all with the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement ActOpens a new window and revitalize our democracy with H.R. 1Opens a new window

“Ensure police accountability with the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act”

In addition, Ben & Jerry’s has also demanded that Biden advance LGBTQ+ justice, pass the H.R 40 bill, fight for cannabis justice and rejoin the Paris Climate Deal.

If Joe Biden didn’t have his work cut out before, he certainly does now.

Biden’s cabinet has been described as “the most diverse in history” (Credit: PA)

“Why we’re hopeful”

The size of the task ahead of Joe Biden is considerable, even before you factor in Ben & Jerry’s policy demands. Still, despite the challenge, the ice cream manufacturers have been quick to point that now is also a time to feel positive.

Ben & Jerry’s have highlighted the diversity of the incoming administration. In particular, they have highlighted Biden’s cabinet nominations for being “the most diverse in our nation’s history”.

READ MORE: Cadbury and Stonewall shut down homophobic reaction to Creme Egg advert

The brand sees the wealth of different backgrounds as a real strength, writing:

“Given all the challenges we’re up against, it’s absolutely essential to have people with different backgrounds and lived experiences there to make decisions that impact all of us.”

No one is in any doubt that the next four years will be turbulent. However, despite the obvious challenges ahead, Ben & Jerry’s at least remain hopeful that the job can get done.

Fingers crossed that Biden keeps an eye on the ice cream industry. They seem to have some pretty sharp ideas – beyond Phish Food and Cookie Dough.