Hiroshima Doll in Disneyland Sparks Global War Cost Conversation

In a poignant act of protest, Ben Cohen, co-founder of Ben & Jerry's, through his new initiative Up In Arms, alongside DCX Growth Accelerator, staged a powerful reminder of the horrors of war by placing an ash-covered doll with a 'Remember Hiroshima' sign inside Disneyland's It's a Small World ride. This act, timed with the 80th anniversary of the Hiroshima atomic bombing, aimed to spark a global conversation on the human cost of war, particularly on children. The stunt, executed by Doug Cameron of DCX and a small team, quickly went viral, drawing attention to Up In Arms' campaign against excessive Pentagon spending and advocating for investments in essential public services. The doll's placement in the iconic ride was a deliberate choice to contrast the innocence of childhood with the brutality of war, a message that resonated widely across social media and news outlets.

The initiative, supported by creative agency DCX Growth Accelerator, known for its impactful campaigns like The Payless Prank and Boxed Out, utilized the technique of détournement to hijack a familiar cultural symbol for activist purposes. Despite the immediate backlash, including Cameron's lifetime ban from Disneyland, the protest succeeded in amplifying its message, as footage of the doll spread rapidly online. This event underscores the power of creative activism in challenging societal norms and prompting public discourse on critical issues like military spending and the protection of children in conflict zones.