Protests erupted in Venice recently, resulting in tech mogul Jeff Bezos shifting his lavish wedding celebrations to a new venue away from the city center. The billionaire's wedding to TV presenter Lauren Sanchez, which was rumored to involve some of the world's biggest stars like Kim Kardashian and Leonardo DiCaprio, faced backlash from local activists who voiced concerns about over-tourism and environmental issues affecting the historic city.

A local official confirmed that Bezos's guests will now gather at the Arsenale instead of the originally planned Scuola Grande della Misericordia. Activists from a group named No Space for Bezos expressed pride over the decision, with member Tommaso Cacciari stating, “We are nobodies... we managed to move one of the most powerful people in the world.”

Environmental and social justice groups framed their protest as a response to the unsustainable lifestyle of the ultra-wealthy, with slogans emphasizing the disparity of wealth distribution. Despite city officials arguing that big events are financially beneficial for Venice, activists remain adamant that such gatherings perpetuate issues like climate change and locals being priced out of their own city.

As the wedding day approaches, protests are set to continue, with plans for a large demonstration, reinforcing the idea that Venice should not be a playground for the rich but a living city for its residents.