In a surprising twist, protesters in Venice are celebrating what they call an "enormous victory" as U.S. tech giant Jeff Bezos moves his lavish wedding venue out of the city's center. Originally set to take place at the historic Scuola Grande della Misericordia, the wedding of Bezos and TV personality Lauren Sanchez will now be celebrated at the Arsenale, far from the main tourist hub.
Activists, particularly from the group No Space for Bezos, expressed their triumph over striking a blow against billionaire excess. "We are nobodies, we have no money," said Tommaso Cacciari, a group member, "yet we managed to move one of the most powerful people in the world."
The event, star-studded and expected to attract celebrities like Kim Kardashian and Leonardo DiCaprio, has stirred protests from various groups addressing over-tourism, climate change, and Bezos' political affiliations. Protest banners flooded the city, with messages highlighting the disparity between the lifestyle of the rich and the struggles of average citizens dealing with climate change.
Local officials, however, have criticized the protests, arguing that high-profile events like this contribute significantly to the city's economy. They insist that only a small faction represents the city's views. They argue that such celebrations attract wealthy visitors and support local businesses.
Despite the mixed feelings, over-tourism remains a pressing concern for Venice. Even with initiatives like a daily tourist tax, activists believe it hasn’t deterred visitors and continues to erode local living conditions. While some planned imaginative protests like floating in canals to disrupt the wedding, those have since been called off; alternative demonstrations are still in the works.
Cacciari sums it up: "Bezos sees Venice as merely a backdrop for a billionaire's party."
