Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, the world’s third-richest person with a $220.9 billion net worth, is facing fierce opposition from Venetian activists ahead of his luxury wedding to Lauren Sánchez.
The No Space for Bezos protest group has pledged to disrupt the multi-million-dollar ceremony, which is set to take over San Giorgio Island near St. Mark’s Square from June 23-28.
Meanwhile nearly every luxury hotel in Venice has been reserved for the wedding, along with a fleet of private water taxis, according to Italian media.
The event is expected to draw high-profile guests, including Kim Kardashian, Katy Perry, and rumored Trump family members. Meanwhile, activists accuse the city of prioritizing elite tourism over residents, as Venice’s population dwindles to under 49,000 down from 175,000 in 1950.
“Venice Is Not a Backdrop for the Rich,” Say Protesters
Federica Toninelli, a spokesperson for No Space for Bezos, told the BBC that the wedding symbolizes the “exploitation of Venice”by wealthy outsiders. The group—which includes housing activists and anti-cruise ship campaigners—plans peaceful protests, including canal blockades and street demonstrations, to halt the festivities.
Venice’s conservative mayor, Luigi Brugnaro, had also condemned the protests, calling them an embarrassment. “What other city would protest the wedding of such an important person?” he said. Local business leaders, including St. Mark’s shopkeepers association head Setrak Tokatzian, argue that high-end events bring economic benefits to a city otherwise overrun by low-cost tourism.
Why It Matters
The protests throws more light to a deeper crisis in Venice, where short-term rentals and mass tourism have pushed out locals. Last year, the city introduced a tourist entry fee, but critics say it has failed to curb overcrowding.
Toninelli insists the movement isn’t anti-tourism but demands a post-tourism transition, one that prioritizes affordable housing and resident needs over glitzy celebrity events.
Unlike George Clooney’s 2014 Venice wedding, which saw no major backlash, Bezos’ celebration has become a rallying point for anti-elitism and urban activism.
