Protesters in Venice are celebrating what they describe as a significant victory after billionaire Jeff Bezos and his wedding guests moved their lavish celebrations outside the city center, following mounting public outcry. Originally set to take place at the opulent Scuola Grande della Misericordia, the wedding of Bezos and TV presenter Lauren Sanchez will now unfold at the more isolated Arsenale, a decision confirmed by local officials.
Activists from a group named No Space for Bezos expressed their pride in what they view as a powerful message against the encroachment of wealth into Venice, a city already grappling with the consequences of over-tourism and climate change. "We're just citizens who started organizing and we managed to move one of the most powerful people in the world out of the city," said Tommaso Cacciari, a member of the group.
The wedding, anticipated to draw a star-studded list of attendees including Kim Kardashian, Mick Jagger, and Leonardo DiCaprio, is expected to overwhelm local infrastructure with private jets crowding Venice's airport and luxury yachts flooding the harbor. Yet, this surge in elite visitors has drawn ire from various activist groups highlighting the rising inequality and environmental crises exacerbated by unchecked tourism.
Greenpeace campaigner Simona Abbate emphasized that their protests extend beyond the wedding itself, representing a broader critique of a lifestyle detached from the realities facing most citizens. Despite city officials defending the economic boost such events provide, dissenting voices argue such gatherings symbolize a disturbing trend of commodifying the city's cultural identity.
Amid further planned demonstrations, including projections on city buildings and a march, activists remain steadfast in their commitment to challenge what they deem an unsustainable approach to tourism in Venice. Cacciari lamented, "Bezos comes to Venice only for the party, that's the problem." The wedding weekend promises to spotlight the ongoing struggle between preserving a city and accommodating the desires of the super-wealthy.
