Rollicking protests against Jeff Bezos's Met Gala co-chairmanship erupted in Manhattan, with costumed citizens expressing defiance against the billionaire class. Orchestrated by Rise and Resist, the event drew dozens who wore outfits tackling grave social issues as they formed an impromptu sidewalk dance party to ABBA’s “Money, Money, Money.”
Despite the Met Gala's long history of addressing social issues, this year's explicit association with Bezos—a company profiting from immigration crackdowns and laying off staff—made it a glaring illustration of political apathy. Protests included a cynical sign imagining Bezos’s thoughts as he endorsed ICE.
Alexa Feneide, a double major at Manhattan University, described the celebrities' decision to attend as an endorsement of systemic violence perpetuated by individuals like Bezos. Activists have been rallying for weeks, with Everyone Hates Elon driving much of the effort through boycott projections and fake urine placement.
Cherie A., founder of Rise and Resist, explained that the group was formed from ACT UP to instigate political action via creative dissent. Protests targeted charges against climate activists who smeared paint on art in 2023, highlighting ongoing activism against environmental destruction.
