Venice protests target billionaire Jeff Bezos over mounting grievances

Recent protests in Venice against the high-profile wedding of Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez have brought to light a range of global concerns, including mass tourism, unaffordable rents, worker exploitation, inequality, and elitism. Although local politicians dismissed the protesters as a small minority, the international visibility provided by Bezos's fame and Venice's iconic setting allowed their message to spread worldwide.

Banners such as "No Space for Bezos" draped over the Rialto Bridge and a large canvas in St. Mark's Square urging the tech billionaire to pay more taxes garnered global attention. Due to concerns about potential disruptions, Bezos and Sanchez relocated their largest celebrity party from the city's central district to a more secluded venue in the eastern part of the lagoon. Tommaso Cacciari, a leader of the "No Space for Bezos" movement, told Reuters that the wedding underscored the perception of Venice as merely a "set, a stage, or an amusement park."

On Saturday, the final protest saw approximately 1,000 residents and activists gather in front of Venice's train station, marching about 1.5 kilometers (0.93 miles) to the Rialto Bridge. Protesters carried signs like "Kisses yes, Bezos no" and "No space for Bezos" with a rocket, referencing his Blue Origin space company.

In contrast, Venetian businesses and politicians generally welcomed the event, emphasizing its positive economic impact. Luca Zaia, the regional governor of Veneto, expressed pride in Venice hosting the wedding.

However, critics like 24-year-old university student Alice Bazzoli called Bezos a "hypocrite" for donating 3 million euros (US$3.5 million) to Venice while his private jets and yachts contribute to the pollution of the fragile ecosystem. Bezos and Sanchez each contributed 1 million euros to three Venetian organizations: CORILA (an academic consortium studying the lagoon), UNESCO's local office, and Venice International University. Bazzoli expressed a desire for Venice to prioritize its citizens with affordable housing, lamenting that students are being priced out as the best accommodations are offered to tourists.

Andrea Segre, a 49-year-old Italian film director and Venice native, noted that the city is also displacing long-term residents. He stated that "People aged 25 to 35 — the age group that starts families — cannot afford to live in Venice. The consequence is a lack of diversity and social liveliness." Venice's historic city center has seen a rapid decline in population, now housing fewer than 50,000 residents, a significant drop from over 100,000 about 50 years ago, largely due to the rising cost of living.

While Venice has hosted other celebrity weddings, such as George Clooney's in 2014, Bezos's nuptials generated more significant backlash due to his corporate and political influence. As the world's fourth richest man, the Amazon founder has ties to U.S. President Donald Trump, with Trump's daughter Ivanka and son-in-law Jared Kushner reportedly attending the wedding.

Twenty-eight-year-old student Giulia Cacopardo told Reuters that "Bezos is the embodiment of the most absolute wealth gained through the exploitation of everything around you." Amazon has faced criticism and strikes from trade unions in Italy over its labor practices and scrutiny regarding tax compliance. In February, Reuters reported that Italian prosecutors were investigating alleged tax evasion by Amazon worth $1.2 billion. Protest leader Cacciari further stated that he would have protested against Bezos regardless of his mode of arrival, due to his perceived "practical, material, and political" contributions to Donald Trump's re-election campaign.