As Jeff Bezos weds Lauren Sanchez in a multimillion-dollar Venice celebration, protesters flood the streets to denounce billionaire excess and highlight Venice’s housing and climate crises.
While Jeff Bezos celebrated his wedding to Lauren Sanchez with a star-studded, multimillion-dollar ceremony in Venice, hundreds of protesters flooded the historic city’s streets in protest. The Amazon founder’s lavish three-day event has drawn sharp criticism from residents and environmental activists, who say it reflects a broader disregard for the real issues Venetians face—climate change, housing inflation, and over-tourism.
“Kisses Yes, Bezos No”: Citizens Push Back
As the final day of festivities began on the private island of San Giorgio, demonstrators marched across Venice holding up banners like “No Bezos, No War” and “The planet is burning, but here’s the list of 27 dresses of Lauren Sanchez.” The tone was clear: frustration with billionaire excess in a city drowning—literally and figuratively.
Martina Vergnano, one of the activists, put it bluntly:
“We’re here to keep ruining the plans of rich people who exploit others while cities like ours suffer.”
Protesters argue that Bezos represents a wider system of wealth accumulation that profits from exploitation, while local conditions—including rising housing prices and worsening flood risks—remain unresolved.
Token Donations or Greenwashing?
In response to environmental criticism, Bezos donated €1 million ($1.17 million) each to three local organizations working on preserving Venice. But many saw it as a PR maneuver rather than genuine action.
Flavio Cogo, a local resident, said:
“Those donations are just a misery and only aimed at clearing Bezos’ conscience.”
Despite the protests, many Venetian business leaders welcomed the high-profile event, citing the economic boost from celebrity tourism. But for citizens already bearing the brunt of a city strained by climate change and mass tourism, the celebration symbolized misplaced priorities.
A Divided City at a Crossroads
Bezos’s wedding has become more than a private affair—it’s a flashpoint for Venice’s larger identity crisis. The city is caught between being a global luxury destination and a sinking heritage site with a dwindling local population.
As climate warnings grow louder and housing becomes unaffordable for many Venetians, protests like these are likely to intensify. For many, the message is clear: Venice must be more than a billionaire’s backdrop.
Hundreds march against billionaire celebration as city faces environmental strain.
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