Hundreds Protest Bezos Wedding Over Venice Economic, Environmental Impact

At least 500 protesters gathered in Venice to voice opposition to Amazon founder Jeff Bezos' lavish wedding to journalist Lauren Sanchez, criticizing the event as an exploitation of the city and its fragile environment. Demonstrators chanted slogans like “Bezos, out of the lagoon” and “Eat the rich,” accusing Venice's mayor of corruption and denouncing the economic and environmental impact of Bezos’ presence. The protests, organized by the “No Space for Bezos” group, highlighted local grievances such as mass tourism, high rents, and worker exploitation, with activists calling Bezos a symbol of inequality and elitism. Despite the backlash, some local politicians and businesses welcomed the wedding for boosting the economy, while Bezos and Sanchez donated millions to Venetian environmental organizations, which protesters dismissed as insufficient gestures. The couple's final wedding party was relocated from central Venice to a more isolated venue, a move seen as a response to protests. The demonstrations underscore ongoing tensions in Venice over the effects of tourism and wealthy visitors on the city's cultural and ecological sustainability.