Wed Mar 19 12:40:00 UTC 2025: ## Ben & Jerry’s Sues Unilever, Accusing Parent Company of CEO Ouster Over Progressive Stance

**New York, NY –** Ben & Jerry’s has escalated its ongoing feud with parent company Unilever, filing an amended lawsuit alleging that Unilever illegally ousted the ice cream brand’s CEO, David Stever, for his outspoken support of progressive causes. The lawsuit, filed Tuesday in New York, claims Unilever violated their 2000 merger agreement, which it argues protects Ben & Jerry’s right to choose its CEO.

Unilever’s alleged removal of Stever, who had been with the company since 1988, is the latest in a series of conflicts between the two entities. Ben & Jerry’s contends that Unilever’s actions were motivated by Stever’s commitment to the brand’s social mission, citing instances where Unilever allegedly censored Ben & Jerry’s social media posts on topics including abortion rights, climate change, universal healthcare, and the plight of Palestinian refugees. The company claims Unilever blocked posts referencing President Trump, Mahmoud Khalil (a Palestinian refugee detained by ICE), and even a Black History Month tribute.

The lawsuit follows a November 2024 filing where Ben & Jerry’s accused Unilever of attempting to silence its public support for Palestinian refugees and resolutions to end military aid to Israel. The ice cream maker also alleged that Unilever threatened to dismantle Ben & Jerry’s board for planning a statement calling for peace and a ceasefire.

Unilever, which announced plans in March 2024 to sell Ben & Jerry’s and other ice cream brands, has not yet responded to the allegations. The company is also currently undergoing a change in leadership, with its CEO recently stepping down. The current status of David Stever’s employment with Ben & Jerry’s remains unclear. This legal battle underscores the deep divisions between the iconic ice cream brand and its corporate owner over their differing approaches to social and political activism.

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