Greenpeace, Locals Protest Bezos Celebrity Wedding Venice

Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez are hosting a lavish wedding in Venice, dubbed "the wedding of the century," attracting around 200 guests including celebrities like Oprah Winfrey, Leonardo DiCaprio, Ivanka Trump, and Jared Kushner. The event, costing an estimated $16 to $34 million, has led to significant disruptions in the city with luxury hotels nearly fully booked, waterways crowded with superyachts, and heightened security measures. Environmental groups such as Greenpeace and the UK-based Everyone Hates Elon have protested the wedding, criticizing Bezos for his low tax rate and highlighting the irony of holding such an extravagant event in a city vulnerable to climate change and rising sea levels. Protesters displayed banners in St. Mark’s Square demanding that Bezos pay more taxes, with some locals expressing concerns over Venice’s over-tourism and depopulation. Local authorities defend the wedding, emphasizing its economic benefits to local businesses, and Bezos has pledged substantial charitable donations to support Venice's lagoon ecosystem. Despite the controversy, the event is proceeding with tight privacy controls including NDAs and restrictions on drone footage.