As Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez prepare for their upcoming wedding in Venice, local activists are voicing strong opposition, arguing that such high-profile events reflect and exacerbate the city’s ongoing transformation into a destination catering to the global elite at the expense of its residents, Variety reports.
The three-day celebration, reportedly scheduled for June 26–28, has sparked a grassroots campaign titled “No Space for Bezos,” a pointed reference to the Amazon founder’s spaceflight company, Blue Origin. Organizers of the protest claim the wedding is a symbol of broader issues, including rising tourism, gentrification, and the commodification of Venice’s cultural and physical spaces.
Over the weekend, protesters draped a large banner with Bezos’ name crossed out in red across the iconic St. Mark’s Tower. Additional banners and stickers have appeared across the city, including on the Rialto Bridge, as activists prepare for possible direct action to disrupt the festivities. Some protest leaders have suggested they may block access to canals and pedestrian routes used by guests.
“This wedding is the symbol of the exploitation of the city by outsiders,” said Federica Toninelli, a 33-year-old Venetian activist associated with the campaign.
The guest list reportedly includes high-profile figures such as Oprah Winfrey, Katy Perry, Eva Longoria, and several members of the Kardashian family. While exact details remain under wraps, the scale and visibility of the celebration have heightened public scrutiny.
Venice Mayor Luigi Brugnaro has publicly condemned the protests and expressed support for the couple.
“I am ashamed of those who behave like this,” he said during a press briefing, adding, “I hope that Bezos comes anyway. Not all Venetians think like these protesters.”
If the event proceeds as planned, it will be the most prominent wedding in Venice since George and Amal Clooney’s high-profile nuptials in 2014, which took place with minimal disruption.
