Venice, June 17, 2025 – The opulent three-day wedding of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez, slated for June 24–26 aboard the ultra‑luxury yacht Koru off Venice, has sparked fierce backlash from locals concerned about overtourism and elitism. Activists from the grassroots “No Space for Bezos” movement are threatening to blockade canals, stage human barricades, and even disrupt the ceremony with water pistols to voice their disapproval.
Protesters brand Bezos and Sánchez as “oligarchs” flaunting entitlement while Venice struggles with overcrowding and fragile infrastructure. One activist chillingly vowed, “We’ll make sure they choke on their wedding cake,” reflecting simmering resentment over luxury events in a city already buckling under tourist pressure. Banners emblazoned with “No Space for Bezos” have been draped across the Rialto Bridge and San Giorgio Maggiore, signaling growing civic opposition.
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City officials, meanwhile, defend the festivities. Mayor Luigi Brugnaro called it “honourable” that the wedding is set in Venice, highlighting plans to employ local vendors for up to 80% of services and vendors eager for the boost. He dismissed anti-Bezos claims as “fake news,” noting the city’s experience managing major events like the G7 and Biennale.mStill, hundreds of residents—including union members, students, and housing activists—have vowed to line the streets with their bodies and blockade canals off San Giorgio Maggiore and the Misericordia venue. Environmental and price concerns fuel the outrage: locals say Venice is being increasingly priced out by tourism-fueled events that strain both heritage and livelihoods.
European cities from Barcelona to Lisbon have seen similar anti-tourist counter-movements. This crescendo, however, places Venice at a tipping point—caught between economic opportunity and preservation of civic life. While some residents see prestige in hosting a global wedding, others demand more respect for daily reality and municipal capacity.As the countdown begins, the contest unfolds: a billionaire’s dream against a storied city’s quest for equilibrium. Whether the Koru pier or the canals will fall into chaos remains uncertain, but the world is now watching Venice’s struggle between privilege and the public.
