Jeff Bezos recently made headlines when news broke that he intended to build the world’s largest yacht to a tune of $485 million.
Now, that yacht is complete – but stuck in the Netherlands. Bezos has offered to deconstruct and reassemble a historic bridge that blocks the yacht from the sea.
The idea of the world’s richest man deconstructing a local historic landmark for the purpose of moving his mega yacht – one so big it requires its own support vessel – has predictably upset the people of the Netherlands.
On Facebook, more than 21,500 people have expressed their interest in egging the vessel.
Of these, 5,000 have committed to the act of vandalism, while 16,500 expressed their interest.
According to the Facebook event, translated from Dutch to English:
Calling all Rotterdammers, bring a box of (rotten) eggs or if you want to keep it vegan, tomatoes and let’s throw them en masse to Jeff’s superyacht when it sails through the Hef in Rotterdam.
Rotterdam was built from the rubble by the people of Rotterdam, and we don’t just take that apart for the phallus symbol of a megalomaniac billionaire. Not without a fight!
In English, the event organizers urged, “Calling all Rotterdammers, take a box of rotten eggs with you and let’s throw them en masse at Jeff’s superyacht when it sails through the Hef in Rotterdam.”
Fox Business explains that the Hef is “a nickname for the 145-year-old Koningshaven Bridge.”
This bridge only offers 130 feet of clearance. This is not enough for Bezos’s mega craft.
According to NL Times, Rotterdam Mayor Ahmed Aboutaleb defended the decision to deconstruct and reconstruct the bridge, saying it would “open up more highly skilled opportunities for the region.”
Locals were not amused, and the idea of egging the yacht – which began as a joke – was quickly taken seriously by thousands of locals.
Pablo Strörmann, who organized the event on Facebook, told NL Times that “Rotterdammers are proud of their city,” and that he does not intend to move or reschedule the protest if he is not given a permit.
“I am pretty sure Jeff Bezos has heard about our event; that was the goal. And of course to trigger a public debate,” said Strörmann.
