Greenfield said that when packaged goods company Unilever bought Ben & Jerry’s for $326 million in 2000, the “unique merger agreement” allowed them the independence to use their brand to speak out “in support of peace, justice, and human rights, not as abstract concepts, but in relation to real events happening in our world.” Today, he claimed it’s “profoundly disappointing to come to the conclusion that that independence, the very basis of our sale to Unilever, is gone.”

“And it’s happening at a time when our country’s current administration is attacking civil rights, voting rights, the rights of immigrants, women, and the LGBTQ community,” Greenfield continued. “Standing up for the values of justice, equity, and our shared humanity has never been more important, and yet Ben & Jerry’s has been silenced, sidelined for fear of upsetting those in power. It’s easy to stand up and speak out when there’s nothing at risk. The real test of values is when times are challenging and you have something to lose.”

Ben & Jerry’s was one of the first brands to support marriage equality, renaming its signature Chubby Hubby flavor to “Hubby Hubby” at its Vermont shops after same-sex couples were granted the right to legally marry in 2009. Today, it is one of the major corporations that has stood by its diversity, equity, and inclusion practices, saying on its website that “instead of dismantling the programs designed to create equity across our society we should be dismantling white supremacy.”

Ben & Jerry’s filed a lawsuit Unilever in November, accusing the company of violating its merger agreement by silencing its social media posts about Black Lives Matter and Palestine, firing the then-CEO David Stever for his posts, and blocking company donations to groups such as Jewish Voice for Peace and the Council on American Islamic Relations. 

“It was always about more than just ice cream; it was a way to spread love and invite others into the fight for equity, justice and a better world. Coming to the conclusion that this is no longer possible at Ben & Jerry’s means I can no longer remain part of Ben & Jerry’s,” Greenfield concluded. “If I can’t carry those values forward inside the company today, then I will carry them forward outside, with all the love and conviction I can.”