Protests aim to draw attention to the exploitation of Venice as a tourist destination while promoting a dialogue to prioritize the needs of residents over wealthy outsiders.
**Venetian Activists Mobilize Against Jeff Bezos's Wedding Celebration**
**Venetian Activists Mobilize Against Jeff Bezos's Wedding Celebration**
Activists in Venice prepare to disrupt the lavish wedding of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos to Lauren Sánchez, focusing on local issues exacerbated by tourism.
Activists in Venice are gearing up to protest against Jeff Bezos, the founder of Amazon, as he prepares to marry fiancée Lauren Sánchez in an extravagant ceremony next week. Scheduled for June 23-28, the wedding is expected to draw hundreds of high-profile guests and could significantly impact city operations, causing parts of Venice to be closed to the public. Bezos, who is currently the world’s third-richest individual with a fortune estimated at $220.9 billion, has chosen the picturesque island of San Giorgio Maggiore for this event, further fueling local discontent.
Federica Toninelli, a member of the "No Space for Bezos" activist group, expressed frustration at how socio-economic inequalities are highlighted through such lavish events. "Venice is being treated like a showcase, a stage. This wedding symbolizes the exploitation of our city by outsiders," she asserted. The collective includes activists from varied backgrounds, all addressing the troubling trend of prioritizing tourism over local needs, as housing and infrastructure challenge the dwindling Venetian population.
Activists have already begun to make their voices heard, where they showcased anti-Bezos banners at prominent tourist spots such as the San Giorgio Maggiore basilica and the Rialto Bridge. Plans are in place for them to disrupt the wedding activities, potentially by jumping into canals to impede water taxis and blocking narrow streets known as calli to restrict guests' access to the venue.
The protests are partly a response to conservative Mayor Luigi Brugnaro, who has been criticized for treating local citizens like hindrances. In defense of the wedding, he expressed shame over the demonstrators, remarking, "What other city would organize a committee against the wedding of such an important person?" He hopes Bezos will not reconsider his decision to hold the celebration there.
Meanwhile, local business owners like jeweler Setrak Tokatzian voiced support for the event, arguing it contributes to the local economy and counters the impact of low-cost tourism. Bezos and Sánchez's wedding is expected to attract significant attention, drawing potential guests including celebrities such as Kim Kardashian and Katy Perry, along with members of the Trump family.
Despite the public enthusiasm surrounding the wedding, activist Toninelli insists that the protests will be peaceful and aim to foster a broader conversation about Venice's future. "We want to challenge the types of futures that people like Bezos represent. It’s vital that our city prioritizes its residents," she stated. The activism aims not only to address the immediate implications of the wedding but also to highlight the pressing need for sustainable tourism that balances visitor interests with the rights and needs of local inhabitants.
As Venice grapples with a spiraling population decline; currently, fewer than 49,000 residents remain, down from 175,000 in 1950, the focus remains on fostering a city administration that values residents over tourists. Venice, which previously hosted high-profile events without significant protest, now finds its spirit under threat from a growing disparity between locals and tourists. Activists call for a vision of Venice that envisions residents as the primary stakeholders, advocating for a future beyond heavy tourist commercialization.
Federica Toninelli, a member of the "No Space for Bezos" activist group, expressed frustration at how socio-economic inequalities are highlighted through such lavish events. "Venice is being treated like a showcase, a stage. This wedding symbolizes the exploitation of our city by outsiders," she asserted. The collective includes activists from varied backgrounds, all addressing the troubling trend of prioritizing tourism over local needs, as housing and infrastructure challenge the dwindling Venetian population.
Activists have already begun to make their voices heard, where they showcased anti-Bezos banners at prominent tourist spots such as the San Giorgio Maggiore basilica and the Rialto Bridge. Plans are in place for them to disrupt the wedding activities, potentially by jumping into canals to impede water taxis and blocking narrow streets known as calli to restrict guests' access to the venue.
The protests are partly a response to conservative Mayor Luigi Brugnaro, who has been criticized for treating local citizens like hindrances. In defense of the wedding, he expressed shame over the demonstrators, remarking, "What other city would organize a committee against the wedding of such an important person?" He hopes Bezos will not reconsider his decision to hold the celebration there.
Meanwhile, local business owners like jeweler Setrak Tokatzian voiced support for the event, arguing it contributes to the local economy and counters the impact of low-cost tourism. Bezos and Sánchez's wedding is expected to attract significant attention, drawing potential guests including celebrities such as Kim Kardashian and Katy Perry, along with members of the Trump family.
Despite the public enthusiasm surrounding the wedding, activist Toninelli insists that the protests will be peaceful and aim to foster a broader conversation about Venice's future. "We want to challenge the types of futures that people like Bezos represent. It’s vital that our city prioritizes its residents," she stated. The activism aims not only to address the immediate implications of the wedding but also to highlight the pressing need for sustainable tourism that balances visitor interests with the rights and needs of local inhabitants.
As Venice grapples with a spiraling population decline; currently, fewer than 49,000 residents remain, down from 175,000 in 1950, the focus remains on fostering a city administration that values residents over tourists. Venice, which previously hosted high-profile events without significant protest, now finds its spirit under threat from a growing disparity between locals and tourists. Activists call for a vision of Venice that envisions residents as the primary stakeholders, advocating for a future beyond heavy tourist commercialization.
