A wave of protests erupted in Venice as billionaire Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez celebrated their opulent wedding, turning the spotlight on deeper social and economic tensions simmering in the iconic city.

Angered by what they see as a growing disconnect between local needs and the priorities of global elites, over a thousand residents and activists staged demonstrations last weekend. Their grievances ranged from the damage caused by mass tourism and skyrocketing rents to worsening inequality and the commercialization of their city.

Venetians draped banners over landmarks like the historic Rialto Bridge, with messages such as “No Space for Bezos” and “Kisses yes, Bezos no.” A giant canvas laid out in St. Mark’s Square demanded fair taxation from billionaires like Bezos, drawing global media attention.

Organizers say the billionaire’s ultra-publicized wedding was a flashpoint in a broader struggle. “Bezos’ wedding amplified everything we’ve been fighting against—the city as a stage, the resident as a bystander,” said Tommaso Cacciari, a spokesperson for the No Space for Bezos movement.

Amid rising tensions, the final wedding celebration—originally set in central Venice—was quietly relocated to a more remote area on the lagoon’s eastern edge to avoid further disruptions.

A Tale of Two Venices

While protesters took to the streets, some officials and business leaders hailed the wedding as an economic win. Regional governor Luca Zaia praised the event, saying Venice should be honored to host such high-profile guests.

But critics were unimpressed by the optics. University student Alice Bazzoli, 24, denounced Bezos as a “hypocrite,” pointing to the environmental toll of his fleet of private jets and yachts while he donates millions to local institutions.

Bezos and Sanchez reportedly pledged €3 million ($3.5 million) to three Venetian entities, including the lagoon research group CORILA and the local office of UNESCO. Activists, however, view this as a symbolic gesture, far outweighed by the damage done.

Filmmaker Andrea Segre, a native Venetian, noted the city’s alarming demographic shift. “Young families can’t afford to stay. We’re losing diversity, culture, and vitality,” he said. The city’s population has dropped below 50,000 in the historic center—half of what it was in the 1970s.

Bezos, Blue Origin, and Political Backlash

Beyond local concerns, Bezos’ ties to controversial figures—particularly former U.S. President Donald Trump, whose daughter Ivanka and son-in-law Jared Kushner attended the wedding—added fuel to the fire.

“He’s not just a symbol of extreme wealth. He represents a system built on the exploitation of workers, resources, and even democracy,” said Giulia Cacopardo, 28, one of many young Italians frustrated by what they see as Bezos’ unchecked influence.

Amazon itself has long faced criticism in Italy over labor practices and tax avoidance. In early 2024, prosecutors began investigating the company for alleged tax evasion totaling €1.2 billion.

“Even if he arrived here on a gondola with just three people, we would have protested,” Cacciari said. “Because what he stands for is the real problem.”

As Venice grapples with depopulation and commercialization, the Bezos wedding has come to symbolize a broader reckoning—one between global privilege and the everyday struggles of a city fighting to retain its soul.