A protest disrupted the Met Gala as activists strategically placed containers filled with a yellow liquid, suspected to be urine, throughout the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Targeting Bezos and Sanchez

The protest specifically targeted Amazon billionaire Jeff Bezos and his wife, Lauren Sanchez, due to their sponsorship of this year’s event. Activists are critical of their involvement, citing concerns over worker treatment and ethical issues.

'VIP Toilet' Protest

Demonstrators placed baskets filled with plastic water bottles outside the museum, labeling them the ‘Met Gala VIP toilet.’ This was a direct reference to allegations that Amazon employees have been forced to urinate in bottles due to insufficient break times.

Previous Allegations and Current Actions

The claim of employees urinating in bottles echoes accusations made against Amazon in 2021, which the company acknowledged were a challenge during the COVID-19 pandemic. The protest is spearheaded by the campaign group ‘Everyone Hates Elon.’

Visual Protests and Messaging

Beyond the placement of the containers, the group projected messages onto Bezos’s apartment building and landmarks like the Chrysler Building and the Empire State Building. Slogans included ‘Boycott the Bezos Met Gala’ and ‘no red carpet for Trump’s billionaires.’

Funding and Ethical Concerns

The group, funded by over 1,000 donors and supported by Amazon employees, aims to expose Bezos’s alleged ‘crimes’ and prevent him from using the Met Gala to deflect from them. Critics argue Bezos and Sanchez’s reported $10 million contribution compromises the event’s philanthropic spirit.

Broader Criticisms

Protest posters highlighted concerns about Bezos’s tax avoidance, support for ICE, and past support for Donald Trump. The Met Gala’s theme is ‘Costume Art,’ with a dress code of ‘Fashion is Art,’ but the protests have shifted the focus to ethical implications.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art and Amazon have been contacted for comment but have not yet responded. This incident highlights a growing trend of activism targeting high-profile events and individuals to raise awareness of social and political issues.