Ben & Jerry’s Founder Quits, Says Unilever ‘Silenced’ Activism

Ben & Jerry’s co-founder Jerry Greenfield is resigning from the ice cream company he founded in 1978, saying the brand’s freedom to speak out on social issues has been stifled by parent company Unilever.

“I can no longer, in good conscience, and after 47 years, remain an employee of Ben & Jerry’s,” Greenfield said in a letter posted on the website for the Free Ben & Jerry’s campaign. “Ben & Jerry’s has been silenced, sidelined for fear of upsetting those in power.”

The move comes at an awkward time for Unilever, the consumer-goods giant, which has been courting investors as ...