VENICE, ITALY — June 18, 2025 – Venice, one of the world’s most iconic and romantic cities, is once again at the center of controversy—not over floods or cruise ships this time, but because of a billionaire wedding that many locals feel symbolizes the increasing commodification of their city.
The upcoming nuptials of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and journalist Lauren Sanchez, expected to take place in late June with a rumored €10 million budget, have sparked protests from young Venetians who say the lavish affair represents everything wrong with modern tourism and social inequality.
Gathering near the historic Rialto Bridge, about 300 Venetians, most of them under 35, rallied under banners reading “No Space for Bezos,” referencing both Bezos’s Blue Origin space venture and his perceived detachment from the realities faced by ordinary citizens.
Protesters Threaten to Block Venice’s Canals
One of the protest leaders, Federica Toninello, energized the crowd with a bold call to action:
“Bezos will never get to the Misericordia. We will block the canals with inflatables, dinghies, boats. We will line the streets with our bodies.”
The protestors, who describe themselves as “precarious” or underemployed, believe that Bezos’s high-profile wedding underscores the widening gap between the ultra-wealthy elite and the residents struggling with high living costs, gentrification, and the fallout of mass tourism. Toninello and others insist that Venice must not become a playground for billionaires at the expense of its people.
Another speaker, Na Haby Stella Faye, emphasized the symbolic importance of resisting the event, saying:
“Let’s make sure Venice is not remembered as a postcard venue for oligarchs, but as the city that stood against unchecked wealth.”
What’s Known About the Bezos-Sanchez Wedding
While most details of the wedding remain under wraps, several clues have emerged. The San Giorgio Maggiore island, an iconic location across from Piazza San Marco, has been a site of previous activity by the protest group. Protestors recently managed to unfurl a “No Bezos” sign from its famous bell tower.
The venue rumored to host the main ceremony is the Scuola Grande della Misericordia, a stunning 14th-century building transformed into a luxury events space. If true, this would place the wedding at the heart of Venice’s historical and cultural center—an area already grappling with congestion and pressure from tourism.
Reports also suggest a high-security guest list, opulent entertainment, and even 27 outfit changes for Sanchez, drawing comparisons to a Hollywood blockbuster rather than a personal celebration.
Anti-Tourism Protests Not New to Venice
The Bezos-Sanchez wedding controversy comes amid longstanding tensions in Venice over mass tourism, rising rents, and displacement of locals. According to ISTAT (Italian National Institute of Statistics), Venice receives over 20 million visitors annually, far surpassing its local population of around 50,000. While tourism drives the local economy, it also places immense strain on infrastructure, water transport, and public services.
In recent years, Venice has seen protests against cruise ships, the implementation of tourist taxes, and growing activism among residents seeking more sustainable and equitable models of tourism.
Earlier this year, the Venice City Council announced pilot entry fees for day-trippers, scheduled to be fully implemented by 2026. The goal is to curb over-tourism during peak seasons, although critics argue the measures may not be enough to reverse long-term damage.
Divided Opinions: Tourism vs. Tradition
While some Venetians are fiercely opposed to Bezos’s presence, others take a more pragmatic view. Local business owners, particularly in the events and hospitality sectors, see high-profile weddings as valuable for global exposure and local income.
“I don’t love the idea of billionaires taking over our spaces,” said a local gondolier who preferred not to be named, “but the money they bring feeds hundreds of families here. It’s complicated.”
Still, younger residents say they feel increasingly alienated from their own city. Many struggle to find affordable housing, secure stable employment, or preserve local traditions in a city that is being reshaped to serve international guests.
A Broader European Trend
Venice’s resistance echoes similar sentiments seen in other European hotspots. In Barcelona, Amsterdam, and Lisbon, residents have staged anti-gentrification protests, limited short-term rentals, and enacted tourist caps in certain neighborhoods.
The rise of “tourism fatigue” is pushing municipalities to reconsider how they balance economic benefits with cultural preservation and residential quality of life.
What’s Next for Venice?
With the Bezos wedding reportedly set for June 28, activists have pledged further action. Canal blockades, symbolic protests, and international media coverage are expected to coincide with the event.
Local authorities are maintaining a tight-lipped approach but are likely coordinating security efforts behind the scenes to manage both the wedding and the brewing public demonstrations.
Whatever the outcome, the wedding has become a flashpoint in a broader debate about who gets to enjoy Venice—and at what cost. For the protestors, the fight isn’t just about one billionaire wedding. It’s about reclaiming the soul of a city loved by millions but lived in by fewer each year.
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