Amid upcoming celebrations planned for the end of June, a growing tide of Venetians has taken to the streets to protest the impending wedding of Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez. On Friday, representatives from various citizen groups gathered at the Rialto Bridge, rallying against what they perceive as the exploitation of their ancient city as a playground for the wealthy.
Organizers of the demonstration announced plans for a series of protests on June 26-28, coinciding with the nuptials expected to attract hundreds of high-profile guests. Activist Federica Toninello, one of the protest's leaders, declared, “Bezos will never get to the Misericordia,” referring to a potential wedding venue that was a former charity now turned into an events hall. Her rallying cry was met with cheers from the 300-strong crowd.
With a backdrop of a banner reading “No Space [image of a spaceship] For Bezos,” Toninello emphasized the detrimental impact of tourism and celebrity events on the local community, mentioning that skyrocketing housing costs have driven ordinary Venetians out of the city. She urged participants to blockade pathways and canals using boats and lifesavers to prevent Bezos’s wedding from overshadowing their city’s cultural integrity.
The timing of the extravagant wedding coincides with Venice's peak tourist season, further straining the lives of an already dwindling local population. Protesters raised concerns about the logistical challenges posed by the wedding, including heightened security for elite guests, which could disrupt everyday life for residents.
Despite the rising protests, representatives for Bezos and Sánchez have refrained from commenting. As the community of Venice grapples with these issues, tensions grow over who the city is truly meant to serve—its residents or the transient elite.
