As preparations intensify for the highly anticipated, star-studded wedding of billionaire Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez next week, Venice is witnessing a wave of protests demanding the Amazon founder "pay more" taxes. The mounting tension was encapsulated by a giant banner unfurled at St. Mark's Square, directly targeting Bezos.
The protest was led by international environmental group Greenpeace, who displayed a massive banner featuring an image of the laughing Amazon founder alongside the stark message: "If you can rent Venice for your wedding you can pay more tax." The group further amplified their message on Instagram, sharing a video of the banner and accusing Bezos, 61, of "poverty wages" for his staff and "tax dodging." Their post concluded with a pointed call to action: "No wonder he can afford to shut down half of Venice for his wedding this week. Tax billionaires NOW."
Sanchez has also been criticised for saying more must be done to tackle climate change while also taking part in a space flight in April on a rocket developed by Bezos's space company Blue Origin.
Broader local opposition
The Greenpeace action is part of a wider wave of discontent across Venice. Italian protesters have been plastering the city with slogans such as "Veniceland: A playground fit for an oligarch" and "No space for Bezos." Demonstrators are reportedly planning to disrupt the forthcoming nuptials by blocking canals and streets, voicing concerns over ongoing issues like rampant over-tourism and anti-capitalism, which they believe the high-profile event aggravates.
Bezos-Sanchez wedding planners defend preparations
Amid the growing backlash, the couple's wedding planners, Prince Antonio Licata di Baucina and Count Riccardo Lanza of Lanza & Baucina Limited, have come to the defence of Bezos and Sánchez, 55. In a statement, they asserted that their clients "explicitly instructed them to minimize any disruption to the city during their three-day wedding festivities."
"From the outset, instructions from our client and our own guiding principles were abundantly clear: the minimising of any disruption to the city, the respect for its residents and institutions and the overwhelming employment of locals in the crafting of the events," their statement read. According to Page 6, the wedding planners also highlighted pre-emptive measures taken months before the protests emerged, designed "to be minimal negative impact or disruption to the lives of Venetians and the city’s visitors." The planners also explicitly denied rumours that the couple were "taking over the city" by extensively booking water taxis or gondolas.
Economic impact vs. local concerns
Venice mayor Luigi Brugnaro has voiced support for the event, estimating a "multi-million dollar" economic impact on the city. Veneto regional governor Luca Zaia echoed this sentiment, anticipating benefits for local businesses, particularly those in hospitality and transport. The wedding organisers have also confirmed that 80 percent of their wedding supplies are being sourced from Venetian vendors. Local authorities have emphasised that the guest list is capped at around 200 people, asserting that daily life in Venice will not be unduly disturbed.
Venice has a history of hosting high-profile weddings, such as George Clooney and Amal Alamuddin's nuptials in 2014, which were largely embraced by the city. However, the city recently implemented a tourist entry fee to manage growing visitor numbers, indicating a delicate balance between welcoming global events and preserving its unique character.
Bezos, 61, founder of Amazon and the world’s third richest person, proposed to Sánchez, 55, in May 2023. The engagement followed the end of his 25-year marriage to MacKenzie Scott. Sánchez was previously married to Hollywood talent agent Patrick Whitesell, and also has a son from a prior relationship. Bezos and Scott share four children. The wedding is anticipated to take place between 23rd and 28th June, spanning three days of exclusive celebrations.
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