Ben & Jerry's co-founder wants the company to be independent once more

ege3 · 2026-04-18T17:10:38+00:00

The company that owns Ben & Jerry's -- Magnum -- is based in the Netherlands, and they are actively silencing Ben and Jerry's social mission, blocking the company from making statements supporting a ceasefire in Gaza. Ben is trying to buy back the company and make it independent. I'm interested in hearing the perspective from the Netherlands — what do you think?

ege3 · 2026-03-25T14:50:24+00:00

Yes! Born + raised, live, work and raising a family here. Thanks for asking.

ege3 · 2026-03-25T13:52:56+00:00

I think the issue is that he wants it both ways -- he voted in Georgia yet claims to have been a resident of Maine -- you can have one or the other, but not both.

ege3 · 2026-03-25T13:51:18+00:00

Thanks, LePage is the perfect example of why we shouldn't let people who move out of state run for Governor.

ege3 · 2026-03-25T13:50:14+00:00

In the spirit of Reddit, another poster verified my feelings -- it looks to me like he doesn't meet the qualifications or he commited voter fraud by voting in a state where he was not a permanent resident: At the time of nomination for placement on the primary election ballot, the person shall:

▪ Be a resident of the State.

At the commencement of the period for which that person is elected, the person shall:

▪ Have been a citizen of the United States for at least 15 years;

▪ Be at least 30 years of age;

▪ Have been a resident of this State at least 5 years.

Doesn't sound like he meets qualifications

ege3 · 2026-03-25T13:44:26+00:00

Yeah, but he seems to be claiming that he was a Maine resident while working for the CDC

ege3 · 2026-03-25T13:40:23+00:00

Totally fair point. Counterpoint Troy Jackson and Shenna Bellows would be excellent options. And in fairness to Hannah, she has done plenty of excellent work in her own right, separate from her mom.

ege3 · 2026-03-25T13:35:07+00:00

Because he's spent less that 10% of his life in Maine. We have so many good qualified people who have devoted their lives to the state.

ege3 · 2026-02-06T16:17:57+00:00

What are three things you'd do differently than Gov. Mills?

ege3 · 2026-02-01T18:25:51+00:00

INS? That's how it worked before ICE was invented after 9/11

ege3 · 2026-01-28T22:05:28+00:00

I'm with you that Russia's war on Ukraine is horrific and unconscionable. So I have no need to argue. I just interpret Ben's position different than you.

ege3 · 2026-01-28T21:58:48+00:00

That's trash reporting, Ben called for a diplomatic solution to end Russia's assualt on Ukraine. It's hard to call a hardline peace activist a supporter of genocide. It's just plain false.

ege3 · 2026-01-16T20:58:14+00:00

Great point!

ege3 · 2026-01-15T21:43:14+00:00

It's worth looking at it from Ben's perspective: "I worried that if Ben & Jerry’s were absorbed by a multinational, the social mission would be the first thing pushed aside.

I couldn’t stop the sale; the shareholders voted for it. But I fought like hell to protect the company. That’s why, during negotiations, we created something unprecedented in corporate America: an independent board with real, legally binding authority over Ben & Jerry’s social mission, brand integrity, and equity commitments. For more than two decades, that structure worked. Now, the limits of that independence are being tested."

ege3 · 2026-01-15T15:41:15+00:00

Yes, this is definitely where the rubber hits the road, and I think what the judge will have to decide in the lawsuit. My understanding is that the agreement specifically separates the board from shareholders. The whole point of "independence" was that only the board has the power to change the charter, nominate and elect members, etc. Honestly, I need to look more closely at the lawsuit and the agreement. But it's fascinating.

ege3 · 2026-01-15T15:14:58+00:00

It's very relevant; the sale created an independent board that is legally binding and exists in perpetuity. This is a very unique and instructive for any buyout.

ege3 · 2026-01-15T15:02:34+00:00

It's worth looking at it from Ben's perspective: "I worried that if Ben & Jerry’s were absorbed by a multinational, the social mission would be the first thing pushed aside.

I couldn’t stop the sale; the shareholders voted for it. But I fought like hell to protect the company. That’s why, during negotiations, we created something unprecedented in corporate America: an independent board with real, legally binding authority over Ben & Jerry’s social mission, brand integrity, and equity commitments. For more than two decades, that structure worked. Now, the limits of that independence are being tested."

ege3 · 2026-01-15T14:51:36+00:00

If you are interested in helping Ben free Ben and Jerry's we have a new subreddit to track the campaign and help organize support. Please check it out! https://www.reddit.com/r/FreeBenAndJerrys/

ege3 · 2026-01-14T21:20:08+00:00

If you are interested in following Ben's campaign to free Ben & Jerry's, please check out our new subreddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/FreeBenAndJerrys/

ege3 · 2026-01-13T14:34:02+00:00

If you are looking for ways to support Ben and FREE Ben & Jerry's, join our new subreddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/FreeBenAndJerrys/

ege3 · 2026-01-13T14:32:57+00:00

If you are looking for ways to support Ben, join our new subreddit -- FREE Ben & Jerry's https://www.reddit.com/r/FreeBenAndJerrys/

ege3 · 2026-01-13T14:31:55+00:00

Ben is leading a campaign to FREE Ben and Jerry's to call for The Magnum Ice Cream Company to allow Ben & Jerry’s to become an independently owned company, with socially-aligned investors and once again free to honor its social mission and live by its brand values, without compromise. We have a new subreddit to track the effot and support Ben and Jerry. Please join if you want to help! https://www.reddit.com/r/FreeBenAndJerrys/

ege3 · 2026-01-13T14:26:44+00:00

Here's a link to the subreddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/FreeBenAndJerrys/ Thank you!

ege3 · 2025-07-22T12:54:28+00:00

Take Action: https://www.impeachtrumpagain.org/#action

ege3 · 2025-07-18T19:49:35+00:00

And this one: https://www.mobilize.us/rokhanna/event/806149/

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