Police group boycotts Ben & Jerry’s over Black Lives Matter support

Vermont’s finest ice cream hasn’t shied away from politics in the past, but this time it might be feeling burned.

A pro-police organization is calling for a nationwide boycott ofBen & Jerry’s and its products for the company’s support of the Black Lives Matter movement.

“Ben & Jerry’s went beyondmaking a statement in support of civil rights when they actively accused law enforcement of widespread racism,” Blue Lives Matter said in a statement.

“By spreading these false and misleading statements, Ben & Jerry’s lends an appearance of legitimacy to the baseless claims that police officers are killing men based on the color of their skin. This message has inspired the assassination and attempted assassination of police officers, and it costs officers their lives.”

The statement is in response to several posts from the ice-cream creators. In one, the company details why black lives matter: “They matter because they are children, brothers, sisters, mothers, and fathers. They matter because the injustices they face steal from all of us — white people and people of color alike. They steal our very humanity … All lives do matter. But all lives will not matter until Black lives matter.”

“It’s been hard to watch the list of unarmed Black Americans killed by law enforcement officers grow longer and longer. We understand that numerous Black Americans and white Americans have profoundly different experiences and outcomes with law enforcement and the criminal justice system. That’s why it’s become clear to us at Ben & Jerry’s that we have a moral obligation to take a stand now for justice and for Black lives.”

In another post, the company gives a detailed seven-point breakdown of how systemic racism is real, citing housingsegregation, the wealth gap, discrimination in policing and health care. Ben & Jerry’s said, “When white people occupy most positions of decision-making power, people of color have a difficult time getting a fair shake, let alone getting ahead. Bottom line: we have a lot of work to do.”

Blue Lives Matter supporters have joined in the boycott, declaring so in the article’s comment section and on the group’s Facebook page.

“I loved the Chunky Monkey Flavor but it looks like I have lost the Craving for that flavor of Ice Cream I will never buy it again, & this is for all of you who have Died & still Serving I Thank you to all the Peace Officer’s out their may God alway’s be with you all!!!” wrote one supporter.

Another said, “I have been boycotting Ben and Jerry for years. They should use there business ability to do something to help the African-American communities and children to be safe in their communities and lift them out of poverty instead of attacking the public servants that have to protect them.”