Activists Prepare to Protest Bezos Wedding in Venice Amidst Local Concerns

Venice activists from the No Space for Bezos group are gearing up to protest against the wedding of Jeff Bezos, aiming to spotlight the impact of tourism on the city and advocate for the needs of local residents over wealthy visitors.

Activists in Venice are gearing up for a series of protests against Jeff Bezos, the founder of Amazon, who is set to marry his fiancée Lauren Sánchez at a lavish ceremony next week. The event, which is expected to attract numerous high-profile guests, has sparked outrage among local activists concerned about the treatment of Venice as merely a backdrop for the wealthy.

Bezos, 61, boasts a staggering net worth of $220.9 billion, making him the world's third richest person. His upcoming wedding is scheduled for June 23-28, taking over the island of San Giorgio, which overlooks the iconic St Mark's Square. Reports indicate that virtually every luxury accommodation in the area has been reserved for the wedding party, along with many of the city’s water transportation services.

Federica Toninelli, a 33-year-old Venetian activist with the No Space for Bezos group, expressed concern over how the wedding exemplifies the exploitation faced by her city. "Venice is being treated like a showcase, a stage," she said. "This wedding symbolizes how outsiders use the city as an asset while ignoring local needs."

United under this initiative, activists from various Venetian organizations, from housing advocates to anti-cruise ship groups, are planning non-violent actions to disrupt the wedding festivities. They have already displayed banners across prominent locations, including the bell tower of the San Giorgio Maggiore basilica and the Rialto Bridge. Protesters intend to jump into canals and block Venetian streets to impede access for wedding attendees.

The activists are calling for a broader discussion on the implications of hosting wealthy events. "People like Bezos represent a future we don’t want," Toninelli stated, highlighting the issues related to Bezos’ entrepreneurial associations and political connections. In contrast, Mayor Luigi Brugnaro criticized the protests, asserting that they tarnish Venice’s reputation, suggesting that events like Bezos's wedding are essential for local economy.

Plans for the wedding remain mostly under wraps, but speculation suggests they may tie the knot in the Church of the Abbey of Misericordia, with around 200 guests included in the list. Expected attendees include celebrities such as Kim Kardashian and Katy Perry, along with potential members of the Trump family.

Through this protest, activists wish to raise awareness about wider issues, including the dramatic decline of Venice's residential population, which has dropped significantly from 175,000 in 1950 to under 49,000 today—an issue exacerbated by the city’s growing dependence on tourism. Local groups have reported that, for the first time, tourist numbers have surpassed the number of residents.

Although the local administration has taken measures such as introducing an entrance fee for day trippers, activists remain skeptical about their effectiveness. Toninelli argues the focus should shift towards managing Venice in a way that prioritizes and centers its residents instead of viewing the city merely as a stage for luxury events.

This wedding is not the first grand celebration to take place in Venice; George Clooney's wedding in 2014 garnered little opposition, contrasting sharply with the current dissatisfaction among residents regarding Bezos's upcoming nuptials. Activists are positioning the protests as a necessary step towards a balanced and equitable future for Venice.