VENICE, Italy — The well-known founder of Amazon, Jeff Bezos, and his fiancée Lauren Sanchez made their grand arrival in Venice, Italy, on Wednesday, igniting a flurry of activity and anticipation as they prepare for their extravagant wedding ceremony slated for this weekend. Their entrance was one of elegance and security, as they waved from a water taxi docking at the Aman Hotel on the famed Grand Canal, flanked by two protective boats.
The impending nuptials, however, have sparked discontent among numerous local groups. Critics see the event as a glaring example of the widening gap between the affluent and the ordinary citizens, reflecting the oft-ignored needs of locals in the face of Venice’s growing tourism industry. Various Venetian organizations have coalesced under the slogan “No Space for Bezos,” taking a cue from Sanchez’s recent escapade into space, with grievances encompassing everything from housing inequities to detrimental cruise ship activities.
Protest measures have been particularly expressive, with banners against Bezos adorning several notable Venetian landmarks. On Monday, Greenpeace along with the British collective “Everyone Hates Elon”—known for its dramatic Tesla destruction acts against Elon Musk—came together to unfurl a massive statement in St. Mark’s Square, condemning alleged tax breaks offered to billionaires.
On Wednesday, the protest took to the water with activists creatively launching a float down the Grand Canal. The float featured a mannequin of Bezos perched on an Amazon box, clenching fake currency, meant as an outcry against unregulated wealth and the encroachment of private interests on public spaces. The orchestrators clarified that this act wasn’t against the wedding itself, but rather the underlying issues of wealth disparity, media dominance, and privatization.
Representatives of Bezos have yet to publicly address these protests. Meanwhile, activists planned a larger demonstration for Saturday, which aims to physically hinder canal access to the wedding venue with boats. Adjustments were made to the strategy after claiming a small victory, asserting that their pressure helped relocate the ceremony to the more secure Arsenale, removed from Venice’s bustling center.
“We intend to make our dissent seen and heard, to celebrate what we envision for Venice,” declared Federica Toninello from the Social Housing Assembly network, emphasizing that the protest will blend peaceful activism with festival-like elements, including music.
The wedding guest list is a who’s who of celebrities, featuring Mick Jagger, Ivanka Trump, Oprah Winfrey, Katy Perry, and Leonardo DiCaprio. Unlike other high-profile weddings such as George Clooney’s in 2014, which the public supported enthusiastically, Bezos’ occasion has seen mixed reactions.
Bezos represents a distinct image due to his political affiliations and business ventures, noted Tommaso Cacciari, a key crusader against the pervasive cruise ship traffic in Venice’s historic heart. Cacciari criticized Bezos’ associations with influential figures like Donald Trump and his contributions to contentious political climates.
Concerns also spotlight Amazon’s labor policies, repeated tax wrangles with European regulators, and Bezos’ overarching influence, which critics argue pose significant issues. They also point to the wedding as indicative of broader governance failings in Venice, primarily how tourism is often prioritized over resident welfare.
Defending the wedding, city officials and Venice’s Mayor Luigi Brugnaro hailed it as an honor for the city, dismissing fears of disruption. “Venice shines yet again on the global stage,” Brugnaro expressed, optimistically anticipating a meeting with Bezos during his stay.
Meanwhile, the Venetian research body Corila has announced support from Bezos’ Earth Fund, bolstering its vital work researching strategies for protecting Venice. The collaboration, initiated months before protests flared, underscores the complex interplay of philanthropy and criticism surrounding Bezos in this storied city.