Ben and Jerry’s is calling to dismantle and rebuild the public safety and criminal justice systems in the wake of the police shooting of Daunte Wright.
via: Revolt
Ben & Jerry’s is continuing to take a stand against police brutality and racism. On Monday (April 12), the popular ice cream company spoke out against the fatal shooting of Daunte Wright, a 20-year-old Black man who was shot and killed by a Brooklyn Center police officer during a traffic stop last weekend.
“The murder of #DaunteWright is rooted in white supremacy and results from the intentional criminalization of Black and Brown communities,” Ben & Jerry’s tweeted. “This system can’t be reformed. It must be dismantled and a real system of public safety rebuilt from the ground up. #DefundThePolice.”
The murder of #DaunteWright is rooted in white supremacy and results from the intentional criminalization of Black and Brown communities.
This system can’t be reformed.
It must be dismantled and a real system of public safety rebuilt from the ground up.#DefundThePolice
— Ben & Jerry's (@benandjerrys) April 12, 2021
Wright’s case has sparked nationwide outrage and Officer Kim Potter said she meant to shoot her taser instead of her firearm. The cop, who has since resigned, was arrested and charged with second-degree manslaughter, announced Washington County Attorney Pete Orput on Wednesday (April 14). Potter is currently being held without bond at the Hennepin County Jail.
Ben & Jerry’s previously used their platform to speak out against the injustices that have occurred in Black and brown communities. Last year, they collaborated with Colin Kaepernick, who sued the NFL after being blackballed from the league for taking a knee during the national anthem, to create a non-dairy frozen dessert that honored “activism in pursuit of racial justice.”
“We both care deeply about and focus much of our time and energy on advancing issues of social and racial justice. We both think ice cream creates joy and is a great way to bring people together,” the ice cream company previously said.
Although the company has always spoken out against these issues, people on social media are now threatening to boycott the ice cream brand. Twitter user @mwball52 tweeted, “Never again will I purchase @benandjerrys Ice Cream!”
The ice cream brand has published articles for years calling to end white supremacy, to get out the vote in local elections, and for better aid undocumented immigrants.
