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Daily Pulse

Scoop! Ben & Jerry’s supports Occupy Wall Street

Paddy Hirsch Oct 10, 2011

Ben and Jerry’s lent its impeccable liberal credentials to the Occupy Wall Street protests today. Or its cows did, at least. The ice cream company’s website now features cows holding signs with “Occupy” on them, above the statement To those who Occupy: We stand with you.

No news on whether Ben and Jerry’s is trucking pints of Chubby Hubby and Dublin Mudslide down to Wall Street. Still, the news of such sweet support for people protesting the disparity of wealth in this country is strengthening the Marketplace Daily Pulse today.

Ben and Jerry’s is just the latest organization to join the protesters. Supporters include unions, grassroots groups such as The Campaign for America’s Future, and the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, which is asking supporters to sign a petition in support of the Occupy Wall Street movement.

A number of Senate Democrats have endorsed the mini-movement, including Sens. John Kerry (D-Mass.), Ben Cardin (D-Md.) and Bob Casey (D-Penn.). Democratic House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) said of the protesters: “God bless them for their spontaneity. It’s independent, it’s young, it’s spontaneous and it’s focused. And it’s going to be effective.”

Occupy Wall Street has drawn some sympathy from Republicans. Former Louisiana Governor and lesser-known Republican presidential candidate Buddy Roemer is reportedly a supporter, and Rep. Ron Paul (R-Texas), an outspoken and long-time critic of the Federal Reserve, recently expressed sympathy.

“If they were demonstrating peacefully, and making a point, and arguing our case, and drawing attention to the Fed — I would say, good!” Paul said last week.

Most Republicans are critical, however. “I regard the Wall Street protests as a natural outcome of a bad education system teaching them really dumb ideas,” former House Speaker Newt Gingrich (R-Ga.) said on CBS’s “Face the Nation.”

House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-Va.) said he was “increasingly concerned” by what he called the “mob protests.”

Follow Marketplace’s Occupy Wall Street coverage here.

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