Protesters Criticize Bezos' Lavish Venice Wedding for Highlighting Inequality

Multi-billionaire Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez arrived in Venice on Wednesday ahead of their star-studded weekend wedding. The event has sparked protests from various activist groups who view it as a symbol of growing inequality and neglect of residents' needs in the face of mass tourism. About a dozen Venetian organizations have united to protest the event under the banner 'No Space for Bezos.' They have staged small-scale protests and launched a float down the Grand Canal featuring a mannequin of Bezos holding an Amazon box.

Local activists had planned a protest to obstruct access to canals on Saturday but modified it to a peaceful march from the train station. The wedding venue was changed to the Arsenale due to pressure from activists. Among the 200 guests attending are Mick Jagger, Ivanka Trump, Oprah Winfrey, Katy Perry, and Leonardo DiCaprio.

Bezos' political and business profile has drawn criticism, with concerns raised about Amazon's labor practices, tax disputes, and Bezos' political associations. Activists argue that the wedding highlights failures in municipal governance, particularly the prioritization of tourism over residents' needs. City officials have defended the wedding, calling it an honor for Venice.

A Venetian environmental research association, Corila, announced that Bezos' Earth Fund is supporting their work with a donation. The contact began in April, well before the protests.

According to the source: AP News.