Why are Venetians mad at Jeff Bezos? Giant banner unfurled in city ahead of his wedding demands he pay more taxes

Time of India

9 hours ago

As
Jeff Bezos
prepares for a luxurious wedding in Venice, activists have crashed the party. Venetians publicly and loudly voice their displeasure with growing citywide protests, triggered by the couple's extravagant event.
In the midst of Venice's ongoing battle with overtourism, residents are objecting to Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez's lavish wedding, claiming it is disruptive.
Why are Venetians against Jeff Bezos' luxurious wedding?
A massive banner of the billionaire was unfurled on Monday in St. Mark's Square, urging him to pay higher taxes. Locals are unimpressed with rising living costs and overtourism, as per a report by Newsweek.
Ahead of Jeff Bezos' $15-20 million wedding in Venice, Greenpeace and "Everyone Hates Elon" activists displayed a banner demanding that he pay more taxes.
Locals are frustrated because billionaires like Bezos crowd the city with events that benefit only a wealthy few, making life difficult for ordinary Venetians.
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Although the city and regional officials who approved the wedding claim that it will boost the city's reputation and economy, locals who are already dealing with excessive tourism and growing housing expenses are dubious.
Will protests disrupt The Big Day?
According to Marta Sottoriva, an activist with the group "No Space for Bezos," "life is getting increasingly difficult in Venice," reported Newsweek.
This weekend, the demonstrators intend to interrupt the wedding by plunging into the canal's waters, claiming that the groom is the target of their ire rather than the ceremony.
They contend that Bezos is the third richest man in the world and that he has amassed his fortune by taking advantage of workers and resources. "It's a protest against Bezos; he's not welcome in Venice," she stated.
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What do the activists want?
The massive wealth of Bezos, which demonstrators claimed should be taxed more than it is now, is the main focus of the new banner that was unveiled in St. Mark's Square on Monday.
"Jeff Bezos can afford to close half a city for days on end just to get married, while governments struggle to pay for public services and discuss difficult decisions. This is a clear indication that billionaires like Bezos ought to pay wealth taxes," a representative for Everyone Hates Elon told Newsweek in a statement.
There are more billionaires than ever before, while regular people find it difficult to make ends meet. There is a clear correlation between their increasing wealth and our struggles.
Sea levels are rising at an alarming rate, and human activity and climate change are causing Venice to sink. Protesters are demanding equitable, inclusive regulations to stop billionaires from avoiding accountability.
Greenpeace activist Clara Thompson contends that the true problem is a flawed system that lets billionaires avoid paying taxes while everyone else is forced to pay the price.
According to reports, Bezos pays a 1.1% true tax rate, despite being the second-richest person in the world after Elon Musk.
FAQs
Why are the Venetians upset about Jeff Bezos' wedding?
They argue that it only benefits a wealthy few and puts a strain on the city, which is already dealing with overtourism and rising costs.
What are the activists demanding?
Increased taxes on billionaires like Bezos, arguing that it is unfair that ordinary people bear the economic burdens.