Daniel Mercer
A group of protesters from the organization Everyone Hates Elon made a statement against Jeff Bezos by placing small fake urine bottles in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York just days before the prestigious Met Gala on Monday. This act of protest coincided with more traditional forms of activism during the actual event on Monday, drawing public attention to the issues surrounding Bezos and his company, Amazon.
Fox News reported that Jeff Bezos opted to bypass the red carpet on Monday, discreetly entering the event through a different entrance, perhaps to evade the protesters and media attention directed at him.
Honorary Chair, Lauren Sánchez Bezos arrives at the 2026 #MetGala pic.twitter.com/XIh9Zkoo4y
— The Hollywood Reporter (@THR) May 4, 2026
The rationale behind the pee bottles is articulated in a statement shared on Instagram, which claims, “Jeff Bezos’s company Amazon is literally being sued for forcing workers to urinate in bottles.” A class action lawsuit has indeed been proposed in Colorado, alleging that Amazon’s work policies compel delivery drivers to urinate in bottles inside their vans, defecate in bags, and often refrain from using restroom facilities, risking serious health issues. When this lawsuit was publicized in 2023, Amazon declined to provide specific comments regarding the allegations.
The Met Gala, akin to the Oscars, originated as a dinner for cultural elites but has since spiraled into a grandiose event where one can ignite an international controversy simply by not recognizing someone or by wearing an outfit that catches the attention of the House Ethics Committee.
Now, Jeff Bezos, the billionaire founder of Amazon, and his wife Lauren Sanchez have invested millions to be associated with the Gala, becoming the primary donors and honorary co-chairs of this year’s event. This association raises eyebrows, especially among those who disapprove of the alleged mistreatment of Amazon workers and contractors, which reportedly includes not allowing adequate time for bathroom breaks. Although Amazon has denied these claims, it has issued apologies for its initial denial.
One effective method to draw attention to these pressing issues might involve staging protests at one of Amazon’s numerous physical locations, which has occurred in the past. Another creative approach would be to organize humorous protests leading up to the Bezos-affiliated Met Gala, an event that, while glamorous, also serves as a fundraiser for the arts—giving it a veneer of benevolence.
The fake urine bottles convey a clear message: “Boycott the Bezos Met Gala,” which resonates with many who cannot afford the extravagant $100,000 entry fee. A smaller note affixed to the label humorously states, “Relax, it’s just water and food coloring.”
While the pee bottle stunt might be perceived as amusing, it seems primarily to have created inconvenience for museum employees. Nevertheless, the protesters successfully communicated their message, potentially dissuading Bezos from making a grand red carpet entrance. Additionally, it would be quite challenging to execute a humorous protest every time Jeff Bezos hosts a lavish gathering on his massive sailing yacht, which is renowned for its size and features a smaller accompanying yacht. Recent tabloid rumors speculated that he might sell this yacht due to the excessive attention it garners. Who knows, perhaps pee bottles were placed there as well.
Ethan Carter
