Venice Wedding of Jeff Bezos Moves Amid Protests and Security Concerns

Campaigners in Venice have declared victory after Jeff Bezos was reportedly compelled to change the venue for his wedding celebrations, which started welcoming guests on Tuesday for a three-day event. The main reception for the wedding of Bezos, the Amazon founder, and Lauren Sánchez, a former TV journalist, was originally slated to take place in the Scuola Grande della Misericordia, a stunning 16th-century building in the city center. However, according to the No Space for Bezos group, the couple reassessed their plans after activists threatened to inundate the canals with inflatable crocodiles to obstruct the entry of their celebrity attendees. The wedding event will instead unfold in the Arsenale, a historic complex of shipyards characterized by fortified walls that are expected to be more difficult for protesters to access. Local press sources have indicated that the venue alteration was also motivated by heightened security concerns following the escalation in tensions as the US entered the conflict between Israel and Iran. Notably, the attendance of Ivanka Trump, daughter of former President Donald Trump, has been rumored, prompting authorities in Venice to ramp up security measures across the city, particularly in the Jewish neighborhoods. An estimated 200 wedding guests, which may include high-profile figures like Elon Musk, Kim Kardashian, and Leonardo DiCaprio, are anticipated to arrive in Venice on Tuesday and Wednesday. According to reports, around 95 private planes are set to touch down at the city's airport. While no specific details about the celebrations have been confirmed, it is believed that the festivities will commence on Thursday, with the couple exchanging vows on Friday at the San Giorgio Maggiore basilica, located on the Venetian island of the same name. The main party is expected to take place on Saturday. Activists have announced that, instead of attempting to obstruct the wedding directly, they will instead organize a "No Bezos, No War" protest. One anonymous activist expressed a sense of triumph, stating, "We feel as if we scored a victory. The crocodile initiative would have given a bad impression of the city, and this is why the venue was changed, even if the authorities might try to claim it was because of the war." The campaign group emerged shortly after Venice's millionaire mayor, Luigi Brugnaro, announced in March that the couple had chosen the city for their wedding. Opponents contend that the event threatens to turn the UNESCO World Heritage site, which has long grappled with the impact of over-tourism, into a playground for the affluent. Posters depicting Bezos's head on a rocket, symbolizing his Blue Origin space tourism venture, have appeared throughout the city. Greenpeace Italia, along with the British activist group Everyone Hates Elon, has also joined in the protests, unfurling a massive banner in St. Mark's Square on Monday, featuring an image of Bezos laughing alongside the slogan, "If you can rent Venice for your wedding, you can pay more tax." Greenpeace stated that the initiative aims to shed light on the social and climate injustices represented by such extravagant events, arguing that Bezos exemplifies an economic disparity leading society toward collapse. They asserted, "Lifestyles fueled by the arrogance of a few billionaires are devastating for the planet." In a contrasting display of sentiment, Mayor Brugnaro expressed his dismay at those who protest against individuals who bring wealth to the city. Spotting an opportunity amidst the unfolding controversy, Matteo Pressi, the mayor of Soàve, a quaint village in Veneto with a population of approximately 7,000, extended an invitation to the couple, suggesting that they consider hosting their nuptials in his village instead. "Venice is unique, but getting married in the most beautiful village in Italy wouldn’t be so bad either," Pressi commented. Related Sources: • Source 1 • Source 2