A mysterious protest doll with a ‘Remember Hiroshima’ sign appeared at Disneyland’s ‘It’s a Small World’ ride, sparking confusion and speculation among visitors. The doll, later identified as part of Ben Cohen’s ‘Up in Arms’ campaign against U.S. military spending, was strategically placed within the attraction to draw attention to the moral implications of nuclear weapons. Cohen, co-founder of Ben & Jerry’s, linked the issue to the war in Gaza and the Pentagon’s nearly $900 billion budget, arguing that the U.S. government’s focus on military spending neglects domestic needs.
Cohen’s campaign against the Pentagon’s spending budget has been ongoing, with the stunt at Disneyland coinciding with the 80th anniversary of the 1945 Hiroshima bombings, which killed over 100,000 people. He criticized the ongoing war in Gaza, stating that the U.S. military budget is ‘disgustingly bipartisan’ and stretches back long before the Trump administration. The doll’s placement adjacent to the ‘Small World’ exhibit’s tunnels was meant to evoke the global unity of the attraction while highlighting the persistent threat of nuclear warfare.
In addition to his activism, Cohen has a history of public protests, including being detained in May for interrupting a Senate hearing focused on aid to Gaza. His company, Ben & Jerry’s, has long been associated with progressive politics and social justice causes, such as the ‘Pecan Resist’ ice cream flavor in 2018 protesting the first Trump administration and the ‘Change the Whirled’ flavor in 2021 featuring Colin Kaepernick. Cohen’s latest campaign seeks to redirect U.S. military funds toward ‘things that people really want,’ such as affordable childcare and quality education.
Disneyland’s spokesperson confirmed that a cast member swiftly removed the protest doll from the attraction, but the activist who placed it there left without incident. The incident has reignited discussions about the role of public spaces in political activism and the balance between free speech and maintaining security in such environments. Cohen’s actions underscore the growing intersection of corporate influence and activism, as he continues to push for policy changes to address both domestic and global issues through his ‘Up in Arms’ campaign.
Cohen’s comments on the military budget and nuclear weapons have also drawn comparisons to past administrations, including President Trump’s ‘peace through strength’ vision, which emphasized a powerful military to deter international conflicts. Despite these differing approaches, Cohen argues that the bipartisan support for military spending has led to a neglect of domestic priorities, such as education and healthcare, which he believes could be addressed with a reallocation of resources from the Pentagon’s budget.
The placement of the ‘Remember Hiroshima’ doll within the ‘Small World’ ride serves as a powerful metaphor for Cohen’s message, reminding visitors of the historical consequences of nuclear warfare and the need for global unity and moral responsibility. As his campaign progresses, Cohen remains committed to advocating for a shift in national priorities, emphasizing compassion and the pursuit of a better quality of life for Americans and their families around the world.