Jeff Bezos, Amazon founder, and his fiancée, Lauren Sánchez, are set to tie the knot in Venice later this month, but the festivities have not been welcomed by the city’s residents. On Friday, activists gathered near the historic Rialto Bridge to announce a series of protests against the planned celebrations, asserting that the billionaire’s presence symbolizes a rapid change in the city’s character.
Federica Toninello, one of the protest organizers, declared that they would block streets and canals to prevent Bezos from reaching the wedding venue, rumored to be The Misericordia, an elegant former charity now used for events. “We have to block this idea of this city being just a tourist destination,” she stated, emphasizing the rising housing costs that make it difficult for many Venetians to stay in their hometown.
The protests will coincide with Venice's peak tourist season, when the city is flooded with visitors. City officials have even introduced weekend and holiday fees for entry, a response to the overcrowding. Local residents are especially concerned that security measures for high-profile guests may further disrupt their daily lives, as the city copes with a dwindling population.
Despite the backlash, representatives for Bezos and Sánchez have not commented on the protests or the local concerns voiced by residents.
