ROME — On Monday, Greenpeace joined various groups in Venice protesting the anticipated wedding of Amazon’s founder, Jeff Bezos, and Lauren Sanchez, reigniting debates on taxation and tourism impacts. In a vivid expression of dissent, half a dozen activists displayed a massive banner in St. Mark’s Square that proclaimed: “IF YOU CAN RENT VENICE FOR YOUR WEDDING YOU CAN PAY MORE TAX.” However, local authorities swiftly removed the banner.
This protest adds to several anti-Bezos activities from the previous week, which saw banners being hung from significant city landmarks such as the San Giorgio bell tower and the iconic Rialto Bridge. Posters expressing opposition to the upcoming wedding have also been placed around the city, highlighting the concerns raised by Venetians over the effects of tourism on their community.
The “No Space for Bezos” campaign, whose name also nods to Sanchez’s recent venture into space, comprises a coalition of roughly a dozen local organizations. These include advocates for housing rights, opponents of cruise ships, and university groups. The activists claim that Bezos’ wedding is illustrative of the larger failures in municipal governance, particularly regarding the prioritization of tourism interests over the welfare of local residents.
In conjunction with the protest, Greenpeace partnered with the British group “Everyone Hates Elon,” known for its demonstrations against Elon Musk. This collaboration aimed to highlight the comparatively low taxes paid by billionaires and their role in contributing to the climate crisis through environmentally harmful behaviors.
In contrast, both Italian and Venetian authorities have spoken out against the protests, showing support for the Bezos-Sanchez wedding slated for later in the week. Amid the controversy, reports have emerged that Bezos’ Earth Fund is providing financial support to a Venetian environmental research group, Corila. This organization consists of university academics and Italy’s main research council working on strategies for Venice’s environmental protection. Corila stated that discussions about the donation had begun in April, significantly prior to the protest events, though it did not disclose the donation amount.