Hundreds Protest Jeff Bezos Wedding Across Venice

Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez's extravagant three-day wedding in Venice has sparked widespread protests from locals and activists concerned about economic inequality, environmental impact, and overtourism. Demonstrators, organized under groups like "No Space for Bezos," expressed anger that the billionaire's lavish event highlights the disparity between the wealthy and ordinary Venetians, who face high housing costs and climate change threats. Protests featured banners with slogans such as "Kisses Yes, Bezos No" and "The 1% ruins the world," and included actions like scaling flagpoles and obstructing canal access to disrupt the celebrations. Despite Bezos donating €1 million to environmental organizations, many protesters saw this as insufficient and a means to appease public outrage. The final wedding party was relocated from central Venice to the Arsenale, which activists hailed as a victory. The demonstrations underscored a broader call for Venice to prioritize its residents' welfare and resist exploitation by wealthy outsiders.