Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez’s lavish wedding in Venice sparked protests. Activists and locals used the event to speak out against mass tourism, high rents, and inequality.

Protesters seize global moment

Firstly, the protestors took advantage of Bezos’s fame and Venice’s global image. This gave them a powerful stage to raise their concerns.

They hung banners on the iconic Rialto Bridge that read “No Space for Bezos.” In addition, they placed a huge canvas in St Mark’s Square, urging the billionaire to pay more taxes. These images quickly went viral.

As they marched through the city, protestors chanted, “Bezos, out of the lagoon.” Moreover, they carried signs with strong messages like “Eat the rich,” “Rejected,” and even accused the mayor of being “corrupt.”

Bezos changes wedding plans

Due to the rising tension, Bezos and Sanchez changed their plans. They moved their final wedding celebration from Venice’s city centre to a quieter part of the eastern lagoon.

Meanwhile, Tommaso Cacciari, leader of the protest group, criticised the wedding. He told Reuters, “The idea that the city should be seen as a film set, a stage, or an amusement park has never been clearer than with Bezos’s wedding.”

March draws large crowd

On Saturday, nearly 1,000 people joined the final protest. They gathered near Venice’s main train station despite the heat. Then, they marched about 1.5 kilometres to the Rialto Bridge.

Furthermore, protesters held creative signs. One banner read “Kisses yes, Bezos no,” linking Venice’s romantic image with the protest. Others showed rockets and the phrase “No Space for Bezos,” referring to his space firm, Blue Origin.

Reactions remain divided

However, not everyone opposed the wedding. Many local businesses and politicians supported it. They said the event boosted tourism and brought money into the city.

For instance, Luca Zaia, the regional governor of Veneto, welcomed the event. He said Venice should feel proud to host such a grand wedding.