'We Will Have To Apologise': Venice Mayor As Protests Target Jeff Bezos-Lauren Sanchez Wedding

Last Updated:June 18, 2025, 11:48 IST

Protests have erupted ahead of billionaire Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez's grand wedding in Venice, amid concerns related to overtourism in the city.

Protests have erupted in Venice ahead of Bezos and Sanchez's wedding. (Photo Credits: X)

Protests have erupted ahead of billionaire Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez’s grand wedding in Venice, as a massive ‘No Space For Bezos’ banner was hung on the bell tower overlooking the Venice lagoon. However, Venice’s Mayor Luigi Brugnaro has criticised the protests, saying he wants to welcome Bezos with open arms.

“I want Jeff Bezos to be welcomed with open arms in Venice. Protesting against those who bring visibility and wealth to our territory is, in my opinion, a disgrace," he was quoted as saying by CNN.

Brugnaro said he hoped that the protest wouldn’t dissuade Bezos and Sanchez from keeping their plans. “We will have to apologise to Bezos. am ashamed of those who behave like this. I hope that Bezos comes anyway. Not all Venetians think like these protesters."

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Why Are People Protesting Against The Wedding?

Jeff Bezos will be marrying Lauren Sanchez in an extravagant wedding with a $10 million budget, and including several venues, including the island of San Giorgio Maggiore. Protesters aim to highlight concerns over overtourism and its impact on the city.

Venice is one of the many cities where overtourism has led to many crises. Efforts to combat overtourism have resulted in a 10-euro daytripper entrance fee on weekends and peak periods, while more residents are pushed out every year due to a dwindling lack of services like schools, hospitals and affordable housing, according to CNN.

Some protesters have complained about the arrival of Bezos’ $500 million superyacht Koru, and the other luxury leisure boats in the city’s ports. Others complained about the temporary work big events like this provide, rather than full-time jobs.

Protesters have threatened to block canals, streets to disrupt the grand wedding. “Let’s make sure that Venice is not remembered as a postcard venue where Bezos had his wedding but as the city that did not bend to oligarchs. We can’t miss a chance to disrupt a $10-million wedding," said Na Haby Stella Faye, one of the protesters.

People Defend Bezos’ Wedding

However, not everyone is on board with the protests. “It seems ridiculous that a city that lives off tourism like Venice wouldn’t want an event like this, which will employ hundreds of people from waiters to water taxi drivers," said Görge Meyer, who was visiting from Berlin.

Gillian Longworth McGuire, an American travel writer and tour planner who moved from Rome to Venice 10 years ago, points out that famous people have been coming to Venice to get married for centuries and wealthy people have been parking their yachts in Venice for decades.

“The ethos of this city was always that it was the crossroads of culture and the world. Venice doesn’t need an event like this to prove itself. People will always come no matter who gets married here and who is against it," she said.

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News world 'We Will Have To Apologise': Venice Mayor As Protests Target Jeff Bezos-Lauren Sanchez Wedding