Protesters Rally in Venice Against Bezos' Lavish Wedding Amidst Overtourism Concerns

Venice, Italy - As plans swirl around the impending wedding of billionaire Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez in stunning Venice, the city has stirred with protests from local residents and activists. On June 23, 2025, the famous St. Mark’s Square was the backdrop for a Greenpeace demonstration, where six protestors unfurled a banner reading: “IF YOU CAN RENT VENICE FOR YOUR WEDDING YOU CAN PAY MORE TAX.” Local police swiftly moved in to remove the banner, but the protest underscored a growing discontent among Venetians regarding the implications of the high-profile event.

This gathering is part of the „No Space for Bezos“ movement, uniting local advocates who feel that the lavish celebration is emblematic of broader issues, particularly the prioritization of tourism over the needs of local residents. Activists have expressed concern that the wedding, estimated to cost a staggering $21 million and attract notable guests like Katy Perry and Oprah Winfrey, will further exacerbate the existing challenges of overtourism that plague Venice.

Tourism on the Rise

Venice, with its quaint canals and rich history, indeed has a charm that draws over 20 million tourists each year to its population of about 50,000. This clash between visitors and residents raises critical questions for the local community. The city’s government has attempted to alleviate the pressure by implementing entry fees during peak times; however, many residents deem these measures insufficient in addressing the overwhelming influx of tourists.

Federica Toninello, an organizer of the protests, has voiced plans to block access to the wedding venue, which is rumored to be the Misericordia—once a charitable institution, now repurposed for events like this. The local concerns echo sentiment shared across Europe, with similar demonstrations occurring in cities like Barcelona, Mallorca, and Lisbon, where citizens protest against the rampant effects of mass tourism on their communities.

Wealth Disparities and Taxation

The protests have also drawn attention to the broader issue of taxation among the ultra-wealthy, which relates directly to the feelings many have towards Bezos’s considerable financial power. As highlighted by The Hill, ongoing discussions about a proposed “Five and Dime tax” aim to address the imbalance in wealth concentration. This tax would levy a 5% fee on wealth exceeding $50 million and a 10% fee on wealth above $250 million, potentially raising $6.8 trillion over a decade, might effectively curb the billionaire class’s expanding wealth.

The stark reality is that approximately 300,000 American households with wealth beyond $50 million control over $35 trillion, a figure that mirrors the U.S. national debt. Critics argue that the privileges enjoyed by the wealthy undermine democracy and exacerbate economic disparities, fueling frustration in local communities burdened by issues like overtourism.

A Local and Global Movement

The combination of high-profile weddings and billionaires like Bezos in ecologically fragile cities like Venice raises climate and governance issues that are global in scope. While representatives of the city have been supportive of the upcoming nuptials, with local research associations even announcing significant donations from Bezos’s Earth Fund, the protests highlight the discontent of local residents feeling ignored in favor of affluent visitors.

As Venice stands at this crossroads, the protests remind us that behind the glitz of celebrity gatherings lie complex local tensions that cannot be overlooked. It will be interesting to see how the city navigates these challenges, balancing its rich heritage with the demands of modern tourism and commerce.