In a striking display on May 3, 2026, the skyline of New York City became a canvas for protest as messages condemning Jeff Bezos illuminated his luxurious penthouse in Madison Square Park. This guerrilla projection, organized by the group Everyone Hates Elon, coincided with the eve of the highly anticipated Met Gala.
The initiative aimed to challenge Bezos's role as an honorary co-chair of the gala, a title he received alongside his wife, Lauren Sanchez, from the Costume Institute at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Activists voiced their concerns regarding Amazon's alleged unsafe workplace conditions and controversial contracts with federal immigration agencies through a series of visual demonstrations.
As part of their campaign, the group previously left fake urine bottles at the Met, referencing claims from Amazon delivery workers about being forced to relieve themselves in plastic bottles due to strict time constraints. They also plastered posters throughout the city advocating for a boycott of the gala.
Among the messages projected onto Bezos's residence was a poignant video featuring Mary Hill, a 72-year-old Amazon warehouse employee who struggles with cancer while living paycheck to paycheck. Hill's testimony highlighted the need for the Met Gala to honor the workers behind Amazon rather than its billionaire founder.
"These are the people who should be celebrated at major events, not those who evade their taxes and support controversial figures," stated an organizer from Everyone Hates Elon.
Throughout the evening, slogans like "Boycott The Bezos Met Gala" were projected not only on Bezos's penthouse but also on iconic buildings such as the Chrysler and Empire State buildings, amplifying the call for recognition of Amazon workers.
Lamont Hopewell, a former Amazon warehouse worker, attended the protest and expressed his support for the message being conveyed. "All working-class individuals deserve better treatment, especially those at Amazon," he remarked, feeling inspired by the solidarity displayed during the projection.
This event underscores a growing movement advocating for the rights of workers in the face of corporate power, suggesting a future where the contributions of everyday individuals are recognized and celebrated in cultural spaces.
