Protests against Jeff Bezos's wedding in Venice are intensifying, as activists aim to highlight the struggles faced by locals amid increasing tourism and external exploitation.
Activists Set to Disrupt Jeff Bezos's Wedding in Venice
Activists Set to Disrupt Jeff Bezos's Wedding in Venice
Protests highlight the impact of tourism on local Venetian residents
Activists in Venice are gearing up for protests against Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, who is set to marry his fiancée, Lauren Sánchez, in a lavish ceremony next week that could disrupt the historic city's daily life. Known for his immense wealth, with an estimated net worth of $220.9 billion, Bezos's upcoming nuptials are expected to attract hundreds of high-profile guests to the island of San Giorgio, across from St Mark's Square, from June 23 to 28.
Local group No Space for Bezos has rallied various activists to voice their concerns about the negative effects of such high-profile events on Venice, which they claim has devolved into a mere stage for wealthy outsiders. "Venice is being treated like a showcase, an asset," lamented Federica Toninelli, a 33-year-old member of the protest group.
As luxury hotels and water taxis fill with wedding guests, protests are planned to disrupt festivities by diving into the canals to impede transport and blocking narrow streets known as calli. They assert that these actions will be peaceful yet impactful. The collective aims to initiate a citywide conversation about prioritizing residents over tourists, emphasizing the need to address housing and tourism issues that threaten the local population's existence.
Toninelli criticized Venice Mayor Luigi Brugnaro for treating residents "like a nuisance," while the mayor expressed frustration over those opposing Bezos's wedding. "What other city would organize a committee against the wedding of such an important person?" he said.
Despite the mayor's defense of the economic benefits such events bring, activists argue that tourism must be restructured to better serve the local community. They advocate for a shift away from the perception of Venice as merely a backdrop for glitzy events, seeking a balance between tourism and preserving the city's essence.
The protest's leader insists the actions surrounding the wedding offer an opportunity to shed light on broader issues affecting Venice and advocate for a post-tourism model that centers residents' needs. With local housing being converted to short-term rentals, the city's population has sharply decreased from approximately 175,000 in 1950 to under 49,000 today.
This is not the first high-profile wedding to face activist interference; in 2014, George Clooney's extravagant wedding similarly drew attention, yet was met with less organized opposition. However, as the number of tourists surpasses residents this year, tensions between local needs and tourism pressure continue to rise, prompting activists to push back against the dominant narrative of tourism's benefits for Venice.
Local group No Space for Bezos has rallied various activists to voice their concerns about the negative effects of such high-profile events on Venice, which they claim has devolved into a mere stage for wealthy outsiders. "Venice is being treated like a showcase, an asset," lamented Federica Toninelli, a 33-year-old member of the protest group.
As luxury hotels and water taxis fill with wedding guests, protests are planned to disrupt festivities by diving into the canals to impede transport and blocking narrow streets known as calli. They assert that these actions will be peaceful yet impactful. The collective aims to initiate a citywide conversation about prioritizing residents over tourists, emphasizing the need to address housing and tourism issues that threaten the local population's existence.
Toninelli criticized Venice Mayor Luigi Brugnaro for treating residents "like a nuisance," while the mayor expressed frustration over those opposing Bezos's wedding. "What other city would organize a committee against the wedding of such an important person?" he said.
Despite the mayor's defense of the economic benefits such events bring, activists argue that tourism must be restructured to better serve the local community. They advocate for a shift away from the perception of Venice as merely a backdrop for glitzy events, seeking a balance between tourism and preserving the city's essence.
The protest's leader insists the actions surrounding the wedding offer an opportunity to shed light on broader issues affecting Venice and advocate for a post-tourism model that centers residents' needs. With local housing being converted to short-term rentals, the city's population has sharply decreased from approximately 175,000 in 1950 to under 49,000 today.
This is not the first high-profile wedding to face activist interference; in 2014, George Clooney's extravagant wedding similarly drew attention, yet was met with less organized opposition. However, as the number of tourists surpasses residents this year, tensions between local needs and tourism pressure continue to rise, prompting activists to push back against the dominant narrative of tourism's benefits for Venice.
