Chris Smalls, co-founder and former president of the Amazon Labor Union, recently responded to critics regarding his union leadership and support for Gaza.
Smalls has become a focal point for debates on the intersection of labor rights and international political activism. His transition from a local warehouse organizer to a global public figure has drawn scrutiny from both corporate interests and political opponents.
In a June 8, 2026 [1] interview for “Stateside with Kai and Carter,” Smalls said how his fight against Amazon transformed him into a celebrity. He said the resulting visibility has made him a polarizing public figure, as his activism extends beyond the workplace into geopolitical issues.
Smalls also addressed his recent journey to Gaza, Palestine [2]. In a June 2026 article with The Nation, he said about his experiences during the trip and the subsequent backlash he faced upon returning to the U.S. [2]. He said the criticism regarding his stance on the Israel-Palestine conflict has been a significant part of his recent public profile.
Throughout his career, Smalls has sought to link the struggles of workers with broader human rights movements. He said the backlash he receives is a byproduct of challenging established power structures, whether they are corporate entities like Amazon or international political norms.
The former union president continues to navigate the tension between his role as a labor leader and his identity as a political activist. He said that while the criticism is intense, it reflects the high stakes of the movements he supports.
“Fighting Amazon made Chris Smalls a celebrity”
The evolution of Chris Smalls from a warehouse organizer to a polarizing international figure illustrates a growing trend of 'intersectional activism.' By linking U.S. labor disputes with the conflict in Gaza, Smalls is testing whether a labor movement can maintain a broad coalition while taking explicit stances on highly contested foreign policy issues.
