Days before the red carpet rolled out for the Met Gala, controversy erupted at the Metropolitan Museum of Art after staff reportedly discovered hundreds of bottles filled with what appeared to be urine, part of a shocking protest targeting Jeff Bezos.The alleged stunt, linked to activist collective Everyone Hates Elon, is aimed at highlighting long-standing accusations about working conditions at warehouses, where some workers have claimed they were forced to urinate in bottles due to demanding schedules, reports New York Times.According to report, the bottles were placed across parts of the museum along with provocative signage mocking labour conditions. One display reportedly labelled a cluster of bottles as a “VIP toilet” dedicated to Bezos, who is serving as an honorary co-chair of this year’s gala alongside his wife, Lauren Sánchez Bezos.In a statement, the group said it wanted to expose what it described as “worker exploitation” and accused billionaires of using high-profile cultural events to deflect criticism. The protest is part of a wider campaign that has seen posters, projections and boycott calls appear across New York City in the run-up to the event.Visual messages targeting Bezos have also been projected onto prominent landmarks, including the Empire State Building and the Chrysler Building, urging the public to boycott what activists termed “billionaire-backed fashion theatre”.The controversy ties into broader criticism of Amazon’s labour practices. While the company has previously acknowledged challenges related to restroom access for delivery workers, it has maintained that such issues are industry-wide and said it has taken steps to improve conditions.The optics of Bezos, one of the world’s richest individuals, playing a central role in one of fashion’s most exclusive and philanthropic events has further fuelled debate. Critics argue it reflects a growing disconnect between corporate wealth and worker welfare, while some within fashion circles have privately expressed unease over the backlash.Despite the uproar, preparations for the Met Gala continued, and the event drew global celebrities, designers and industry leaders. Known for its extravagant couture and strict guest list, the gala also raises millions annually for the museum’s Costume Institute.