Bezos Wedding Sparks Protests Amidst Lavish Celebrations in Venice
Venice: Activists from the “No Space For Bezos” group projected laser messages on St Mark’s belltower on Friday, protesting against Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez’s lavish three-day wedding. The event has been criticized by anti-capitalists and some locals for transforming the historic city into a playground for the ultra-wealthy. However, local officials have welcomed the event for the significant economic boost it has brought, including a $3 million donation from Bezos himself.
According to Ansa News Agency, the protest included projecting the stylized head of Amazon’s owner on the belltower, accompanied by messages like “Fck Bzs” and “No Space 4 Bezos”. The group announced a larger protest scheduled for Saturday, starting with a procession from the Santa Lucia station, expecting participants from across the Northeast.
The wedding festivities began on Thursday night with an exclusive party at the cloister of the Madonna dell’Orto, which was interrupted by a sudden downpour, forcing VIP guests to seek shelter. Additional protests took place in St Mark’s Square, where around 20 individuals displayed placards against Bezos and in support of peace in Gaza. Some demonstrators staged a mock wedding and attempted to climb flagpoles, leading to police intervention.
Bezos and Sanchez are staying at the Aman, a luxurious hotel also chosen by George Clooney for his wedding in 2014. The couple arrived in Venice on Wednesday, and Bezos has reserved five 7-star hotels for over 200 celebrity guests. The celebration includes various events, such as a ring exchange in the Arsenale district and a Great Gatsby-themed after-party.
Venice’s docks are bustling with mega yachts, including the ‘Were Dream’, owned by Russian businessman Andrej Kostin, and other luxury vessels belonging to notable figures like Bill Miller and Shahid ‘Shad’ Khan. Despite the secrecy surrounding the event, high-profile guests like Oprah Winfrey, Mick Jagger, and Leonardo DiCaprio are expected.
Protests have also been bolstered by groups like Greenpeace Italia, who displayed a large banner in Saint Mark’s Square, calling for higher taxes on billionaires. They argue that Bezos represents an economic model contributing to social and climate injustice.
Venice Mayor Luigi Brugnaro has downplayed the protests, expressing pride in hosting the wedding and emphasizing the city’s global role. “Everyone has their own ideas, we are in a democracy. If done peacefully, the protests are neither scary nor annoying,” Brugnaro stated.
Bezos, 61, and Sanchez, 55, both have children from previous relationships. Bezos was formerly married to MacKenzie Scott, while Sanchez has children from her previous marriage and a son with retired NFL player Tony Gonzalez.