Hundreds of protesters took to the streets and waterways of Venice over the weekend to voice their opposition to the lavish wedding of Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez. The couple, who tied the knot in a private ceremony on the secluded island of San Giorgio, celebrated their union with a series of extravagant events that drew criticism from local activists.
Bezos, the founder of Amazon, and Sanchez, a media personality, were married on Friday. Their wedding festivities, estimated to cost between £34 million and £41 million, included multiple venues across the city. The couple and their 200 guests stayed in luxury accommodations, with rooms at the Aman hotel on the Grand Canal costing around £3,400 per night.
Activists protested against the wedding, claiming it exacerbated issues like overtourism and rising living costs for locals. Demonstrators held signs with messages such as "Kisses yes, Bezos no" and "118,000 Italian shops killed by Amazon." They gathered at iconic locations, including the Rialto Bridge, where they hung a banner declaring "No space for Bezos."
Throughout the weekend, protesters expressed their frustration with the impact of wealthy individuals on the city. One activist, Flavio Cogo, criticized Bezos’s charitable donations to environmental organizations, suggesting they were a way for him to ease his conscience rather than a genuine effort to help Venice. Another protester, Martin Vergnano, highlighted the struggles of locals, saying, "We are here to continue ruining the plans of these rich people."
City officials defended the decision to host the wedding, citing Venice’s long history of welcoming various guests, including popes and emperors. However, the protests reflected a growing discontent among residents about the effects of tourism and wealth concentration in the city.
As the couple celebrated, they were seen blowing kisses to onlookers and the media. Their guest list included celebrities like the Kardashians, Oprah Winfrey, and Orlando Bloom, further emphasizing the high-profile nature of the event.
Despite the luxurious celebrations, the protests underscored a significant divide between the wealthy elite and local residents struggling with the consequences of tourism and economic disparity in Venice.