Amazon union chief Chris Smalls was arrested outside theMet Gala 2026on Monday night during a protest against the event's sponsorship by Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez Bezos. The activist was detained by police after attempting to breach security near the red carpet entrance, where he brandished a sign criticising Amazon's labour practices.
The incident occurred as celebrities including Nicole Kidman, Doja Cat and Sam Smith arrived for the annual fundraiser for the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute, with the theme 'Costume Art'.
Smalls, who rose to prominence leading the first successful union drive at an Amazon warehouse in Staten Island in 2022, has long been a thorn in the side of the retail giant's founder and a prominent voice in the labour movement.
Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez Bezos, serving as lead sponsors and honorary co-chairs, reportedly contributed at least £7.4 million ($10 million) to the gala. The sum as reported by Citizen Tribune has sparked widespread backlash, with activists launching aposter campaign across New York City streets and subways calling for a boycottof what they dubbed the'Bezos Met Gala'.
Protests had been building fordays ahead of the 4 May event, includingclaims that activists hid hundreds of small bottles of fake urine inside the venuein a bid to disrupt proceedings.
The sponsorship decision has highlighted tensions between the glitz of the fashion world and the realities of Amazon warehouse work, where organisers say staff face demanding conditions and limited union rights. Bezos did not accompany his partner on the red carpet, further fuelling online debate.
Video footage showed Smalls sprinting through traffic, vaulting barriers and pushing past crowds of fans and press before NYPD officers tackled him. The confrontation happened close to guests including Tom Ford and Julianne Moore, who were reportedly just 20 feet away.
The video quickly circulated as the event unfolded. Smalls himself has previously stated 'Billionaires shouldn't exist. Billionaires, they gotta go,' in public remarks on corporate power.
The Amazon Labor Union – IBT Local 1, which Smalls co-founded, held a parallel worker-led event titled 'A Ball Without Billionaires' to spotlight labour issues. In anInstagram post, the group declared: 'While Jeff Bezos plays host to elite spaces like the Met Gala, Amazon workers are still fighting for basic safety, dignity, and a union contract.'
The arrest has amplified calls for solidarity among labour activists and drawn attention to ongoing unionisation efforts at Amazon facilities worldwide. As of Tuesday morning, no official comment had emerged from the Met Gala organisers or Bezos regarding the protest or detention.
Source: International Business Times UK
