Protests in Venice Cast a Shadow Over Bezos' Extravagant Wedding Ceremony

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Mass tourism, exorbitantly high rents, worker exploitation, inequality, and elitism: Recent protests in Venice, sparked by Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez’s prominent wedding, have highlighted increasing global discontent.

Local officials downplayed the protesters as a minor fringe group. However, Bezos’s celebrity status and Venice’s breathtaking scenery have provided the protesters with international exposure, which they utilized strategically.

“No Space for Bezos” signs hung over the famous Rialto Bridge, and a large banner on St Mark’s Square calling on the tech giant to contribute more in taxes, have captured global attention.

Fears of potential disruptions prompted Bezos and his bride to relocate their grandest celebrity celebration from the center to a more secluded spot in the eastern section of the lagoon city.

“The notion that the city should be perceived as a film set, a stage, or an amusement park has been underscored like never before by Bezos’ wedding,” said Tommaso Cacciari, a leader of the No Space for Bezos campaign.

Venice. No Space For Bezos Demonstration

A thousand activists from social centers and environmental groups took part in the protest against the city’s exploitation, marching through the streets. Source: SIPA USA / Roberto Brancolini

In the final protest on Saturday (local time), around 1,000 residents and activists rallied in front of Venice’s train station under a scorching sun, before marching roughly 1.5 kilometres to the Rialto Bridge.

“Bezos, out of the lagoon”, the demonstrators chanted as they wound through the city centre, some brandishing signs that read: “Eat the rich”, “Rejected”, and accusations that Venice’s mayor is “corrupt”.

One banner proclaimed “Kisses yes, Bezos no”, playing on Venice’s reputation as the city of love, and another one said “No space for Bezos” with a rocket, in a reference to his Blue Origin space technology company.

Nevertheless, Venetian business owners and politicians celebrated the event, praising its significant economic benefits. Luca Zaia, the regional governor of Veneto, which includes Venice, expressed pride in the city hosting the wedding.

Protesters demand affordable housing, oppose overtourism

Alice Bazzoli, a 24-year-old university student, called Bezos a “hypocrite” for donating 3 million euros ($5.38 million) to Venice while flooding its fragile ecosystem with high-polluting private jets and yachts.

Bezos and Sanchez have given 1 million euros ($1.79 million) each to three Venetian institutions: CORILA, an academic consortium that studies the lagoon, UNESCO’s local office, and Venice International University.

“I’d love Venice to be tailored for citizens, not for tourists, with affordable housing,” Bazzoli said, complaining that students were being priced out of the market, with the best accommodations offered to visitors.

The ‘Moa’ boat transporting Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez Bezos is escorted on the Grand Canal, on the third day of their wedding festivities. Source: AFP / Marco Bertorello

Andrea Segre, a 49-year-old Italian film director born in Venice, said the city was also pushing out ordinary residents.

“People aged 25 to 35 — the age group that starts families — cannot afford to live in Venice. The consequence is a lack of diversity and social liveliness,” he said.

Venice is rapidly depopulating, largely because of the cost of living crisis. Its historic city centre now has fewer than 50,000 residents, compared to more than 100,000 some 50 years ago.

The city has hosted scores of other VIP weddings, including that of actor George Clooney and human rights lawyer Amal Alamuddin in 2014, but the latest luxury nuptials have attracted far greater resentment because of Bezos’ corporate and political role.

Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez leave the Aman Hotel on the third day of their wedding festivities. Source: AFP / Marco Bertorello

The Amazon founder is the world’s fourth richest man, and has developed ties with US President Donald Trump, whose daughter Ivanka and son-in-law Jared Kushner were in attendance at the wedding.

“Bezos is the embodiment of the most absolute wealth gained through the exploitation of everything around you,” 28-year-old student Giulia Cacopardo said in the run-up to Saturday’s march.

In Italy, the e-commerce giant has faced criticism and strikes from trade unions over labour practices, and scrutiny over tax compliance. Reuters news agency reported in February that Italian prosecutors were investigating alleged tax evasion worth 1.2 billion ($2.15 billion) euros.

“I would have protested against Bezos even if he had come on a rowboat with just a handful of people … because he contributed practically, materially and politically to Donald Trump’s re-election,” protest leader Cacciari said.