• Protesters plan to block Venice’s canals on Saturday to disrupt Jeff Bezos’s wedding using boats and swimmers.
• The blockade aims to highlight local frustration over tourism’s impact on residents and rising living costs.
• The protests threaten to cause chaos and delays, dividing public opinion between local pride and economic concerns.

This Saturday, Venice’s famed waterways could turn into a battleground. Hundreds of local activists are preparing to flood the city’s canals with boats, swimmers, and makeshift rafts in a determined effort to disrupt Jeff Bezos’s high-profile wedding festivities. The billionaire Amazon founder’s lavish nuptials, expected to attract dozens of elite guests, have sparked fierce opposition from residents fed up with the growing strain tourism places on their city.

A Bold Plan to Flood the Canals and Jam the Waterways

The protest group known as “No Space for Bezos” has announced plans to physically block key canals around the wedding venues. Rather than sticking to streets, these demonstrators are taking to Venice’s signature waterways — the lifeblood of the city — to make their point loud and clear. Federica Toninello, one of the movement’s leaders, told reporters they will use “whatever can float” to stop the flow of water traffic, including swimming directly in the canals.

“We will put our bodies in the water,” Toninello said. “Boats, rafts, swimmers — everything that can move on the water will be there to slow down the event.” The strategy aims to prevent the smooth arrival of wedding guests, many of whom are expected to arrive by private water taxis, effectively turning what should be a glamorous procession into a chaotic mess.

Chaos Looms as Luxury Takes Over Venice’s Waterways

Venice’s canals have long been a symbol of romance and tranquility, but this weekend they might become scenes of confrontation. The disruption is designed not just to challenge the wedding itself but to highlight a deeper frustration with how wealthy visitors increasingly dominate the city. Protesters argue that allowing Bezos to “rent” Venice for his wedding ignores the needs of residents who face rising living costs and overcrowding daily.

The planned blockades threaten to cause significant delays and confusion, with local authorities scrambling to manage the logistics. Already, many regular water taxi services and gondoliers have reported cancellations or rerouted trips due to protest preparations.

Public Reaction Divides Along Lines of Wealth and Local Pride

Locals who support the protest see it as a necessary stand against inequality. They say that while the wedding brings money to some businesses, it highlights how the city prioritizes rich tourists over residents. Venetians who have lived here for generations feel pushed out, their neighborhoods increasingly transformed into tourist traps.

On the other side, some business owners and officials warn that the protest could damage Venice’s fragile reputation as a tourist destination, especially after pandemic losses. They fear that chaos on the canals will hurt the city’s economy and drive away future visitors.

A Wedding Shadowed by Conflict

The battle over the waterways signals that Bezos’s wedding will be anything but smooth sailing. With protests planned on the very day of the ceremony, the event risks descending into disorder — a vivid illustration of Venice’s ongoing struggle between old-world charm and modern pressures.

As Saturday approaches, all eyes will be on Venice’s canals to see whether the protesters can truly disrupt one of the most exclusive weddings in recent memory, turning a symbol of luxury into a stage for resistance.