The Met Gala Arrest Came As Activists Organized A Broader Demonstration Outside The Star-Studded Event Over Bezos And His Wife Lauren Sánchez’s Sponsorship
Amazon Labor Union founder Chris Smalls was reportedly arrested outside the 2026 Met Gala on Monday night during a protest aimed at Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and his wife, Lauren Sánchez, who were tied to the event as sponsors and honorary chairs.
According to The Independent, the NYPD confirmed that a 37 year old man was taken into custody with charges pending, though police did not publicly confirm whether the person was Smalls.
Video from outside the Metropolitan Museum of Art showed officers wrestling a man to the ground after he allegedly crossed a barricade near the gala entrance.
Protesters Target Bezos And Amazon’s Labor Record
The reported arrest came as activists organized demonstrations around the Met Gala over Bezos and Sánchez’s sponsorship. Protesters criticized Amazon’s labor practices, worker treatment, tax record and alleged role in technology connected to immigration enforcement and military actions.
Also Read: Al Sharpton’s Met Gala Message Targets Billionaire Influence
Reuters reported that demonstrators held signs including “Tax The Rich,” while one person was detained during the protest. The 2026 Met Gala, themed “Costume Art,” continued as celebrities arrived for the annual fundraiser benefiting the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute.
Smalls’ Activism Has Expanded Beyond Amazon
Smalls became a national labor figure in 2022 after helping lead the first successful union election at an Amazon warehouse in Staten Island, New York. Since then, he has remained one of the most visible labor organizers in the country, using public demonstrations to challenge corporate power and working conditions.
The reported Met Gala arrest adds another public moment to Smalls’ years of activism. Last July, he was detained and beaten by Israeli forces while on a humanitarian aid mission to Gaza, according to prior reporting cited by theGrio. He later said he would continue his organizing work.
As of the latest reports, formal charges connected specifically to Smalls had not been publicly confirmed.
