Venetians are taking a stand against Amazon founder Jeff Bezos’s $10 million wedding to Lauren Sanchez planned for next week, hanging protest banners from historic church towers and plastering the city with anti-billionaire posters.
At a Glance
- Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez face significant local opposition to their June 24-26 wedding in Venice
- Protesters hung a “No Space for Bezos” banner from the San Giorgio Maggiore Church bell tower
- Local activist group Laboratorio Occupato Morion is leading protests against the “playground for the ultra-wealthy”
- Venice’s mayor supports the wedding citing economic benefits, while city officials claim minimal disruption with only 200 guests
Venetians Pushing Back Against Billionaire Wedding
Venice residents are rebelling against Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez’s upcoming wedding scheduled for June 24-26. The $10 million event planned for the island of San Giorgio Maggiore has sparked local anger over the privatization of public spaces and concerns about overtourism in the historic UNESCO city. Protest flyers with slogans like “No space for oligarchs, no space for Bezos” have appeared throughout Venice, while activists unfurled a large banner from the San Giorgio Maggiore Church bell tower.
The resistance is being organized by Laboratorio Occupato Morion, a local activist group that describes itself as anti-fascist, anti-capitalist, anti-racist, and trans-feminist. The group’s opposition stems from concerns about blocked streets, luxury hotel takeovers, and the environmental impact of hosting such a lavish event during Venice’s already crowded peak tourist season.
Clash Between Wealth and Heritage
The controversy highlights growing tension between Venice’s status as a tourist destination for the wealthy and its identity as a living city with real residents. Activists claim the wedding exemplifies how Venice is increasingly becoming a playground exclusively for the ultra-rich, while locals struggle with the daily challenges of mass tourism. Five hotels and a fleet of water cabs have reportedly been reserved for the event, which will host celebrities like Kim Kardashian and Katy Perry.
“Bezos thinks he can buy the entire city. We refuse to let Venice be held hostage by one of the richest men in the world,” said Alice Bazzoli, a spokesperson for the protesters.
The couple plans to host guests at Scuola Grande della Misericordia, a historical and opulent venue. While the exact location of the ceremony remains undisclosed, the multi-day celebration has stirred significant local resistance compared to previous high-profile weddings in the city, such as George Clooney’s in 2014. The “No Space for Bezos” collective has organized a public assembly to rally further opposition against the event.
City Officials Downplay Disruption
Despite the vocal protests, Venice’s mayor supports the wedding, pointing to potential economic benefits for local businesses. City hall has dismissed concerns about major disruptions as “fake news,” claiming that with only 200 guests expected, the event will not significantly impact daily life in Venice. However, local media reports paint a different picture, detailing extensive preparations including multiple hotel bookings and transportation arrangements.
“It’s nothing personal to Bezos, but his over-the-top wedding’s just another blow to locals already struggling with Venice’s daily tourist chaos,” explained Alice Bazzoli in a statement that suggests the protest is about broader issues of tourism management and preservation of local culture rather than animosity toward the couple personally.
The protesters have specifically cited Bezos’s ownership of Blue Origin and its environmental impact as additional reasons for their opposition. As the wedding date approaches, the conflict highlights the ongoing struggle between preserving Venice’s cultural heritage and its economic reliance on tourism, particularly from wealthy visitors who can afford its increasingly exclusive amenities.
