Jeff Bezos-Lauren Sanchez wedding protested by Venice locals
(NewsNation) — While Amazon boss Jeff Bezos may be hearing wedding bells at the end of June, the world's third-richest man might also have to endure protests from Venetians.
Bezos is set to marry Lauren Sanchez later this month at an undisclosed location in the city of Venice, Italy. Protesters in the city have joined the chorus of millions across cities in Europe, pushing back on tourists who they say displace residents and damage their homes.
The organized group protesting the wedding is called 'No Space for Bezos,' and they're seeking to send a message not only to the tech giant but to the rest of the world.
Protester Federica Toninello told reporters that the group wants to 'spark a citywide conversation and to say that people like Bezos — who represent a future we don't want and a world we don't want to live in — are not welcome here.'
On Thursday, the group unfurled a large banner from St. Mark's bell tower, which had Bezos' name crossed out on it.
While details about the wedding's location and time aren't public knowledge, the group feels they're gaining appropriate intelligence and will be able to protest at the wedding on the day of the ceremony.
While many of Venice's 50,000 full-time residents have filled the streets of the city, they are not supported by Venice Mayor Luigi Brugnaro. Brugnaro is rolling out the red carpet for Bezos, calling him 'such an important person' and celebrating the nuptials in the city.
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'I don't know if I have time, or if [Bezos] will, to meet and shake hands, but it's an honor that they chose Venice. Venice once again reveals itself to be a global stage,' Brugnaro reportedly said.
The actual location of the ceremony is kept private, as is the guest list. However, the list is expected to include musical artist Katy Perry, who joined Sanchez on the Blue Origin space flight in April. NewsNation's Paula Froelich reported that she's expected to be joined by Orlando Bloom amid past rumors of a breakup between the two.
Other superstars expected to be in attendance include Kris and Kim Kardashian, Gayle King and Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump. Froelich expects the 'intimate' wedding to cost up to $11 million.
The festivities, which are set to begin on June 24, are also expected to be a celebration of the city of Venice, with an estimated 80% of the wedding provisions sourced from local Venetian vendors.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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