3 days ago
EXCLUSIVE Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez's star-studded Italian wedding threatened by furious protesters in Venice
Jeff Bezos and 's extravagant Italian wedding is still weeks away - yet it's already rocking the boat in Venice, where furious locals say their home is being 'held hostage' by the 'richest and most dangerous man in the world.'
The couple's highly-anticipated nuptials are set to take place the weekend of June 24 in the Floating City, much to the frustration of Venetians who have accused the billionaire of turning their home into a 'playground' for the ultra-wealthy - and are now planning protests to push back.
The Amazon founder, 61, is reportedly taking over the island of San Giorgio Maggiore for the wedding day itself, fully booking up five luxury hotels and every water taxi in Venice.
A-list celebrities, politicians, and business leaders are expected to attend, which will mean beefed-up security, closed streets and airspace, and a strong police presence, just as Venice's peak tourist season gets underway.
With an eye-popping price tag of $10million and a star-studded guest list that includes the Kardashians, actress Eva Longoria, and pop star Katy Perry - who all attended Sanchez's bachelorette party in Paris earlier this month - the wedding promises to opulence on overdrive.
While President Donald Trump isn't expected to make an appearance, his children Ivanka and Don Jr are set to attend with their respective partners, husband Jared Kushner and new girlfriend Bettina Anderson.
Guests are likely to land at nearby airports in gas-guzzling private planes - Bezos owns four Gulfstream jets - although the 61-year-old can't dock his $500million superyacht Koru as it's too big to anchor anywhere close to Venice.
The massive carbon footprint of Bezos and his loaded guests will irk locals further, as Venice is blighted with polluted canals and mass tourism is destroying the fragile lagoon the city sits in.
The Laboratorio Occupato Morion - a self-described 'anti-fascist, anti-capitalist, anti-racist and trans-feminist political space' - is already planning on hosting a protest event in the city on Friday at its social center, a short walk from the historic St. Mark's Square.
The group has already begun advertising the protest online - sharing a flyer with an image of Bezos' head atop a rocket alongside the slogan: 'No space for Bezos, No space for oligarchs!'
'Jeff Bezos thinks he can buy the entire city - let's throw him a party!', the flyer reads, alongside details of Friday's demonstration.
A lengthy adjoining caption reads : 'Venice is transformed into yet another playground for billionaires, while those who live it every day are left with discomfort, exclusion and precariousness.'
It further adds: 'From the Security Decree, to the right to work and home, to the refusal of a city being shut down and mercified to celebrate the wedding of one of the most influential, richest – and most dangerous – men on the planet.
'There's no room for oligarchs, their private parties and their dirty money.
'See you on Friday 30th of May at Morion to exchange ideas, reflections, discuss and organize together about the hospitality we want to reserve for those who think they can make this city and the whole world what they want.'
Laboratorio Occupato Morion spokesperson Alice Bazzoli told that the event is just the start and will culminate in a 'big demonstration' on the actual wedding day.
'Tomorrow will mark the first public assembly, an open call to citizens, grassroots movements, and associations to organize demonstrations during Jeff Bezos' stay in Venice for his luxurious wedding,' she said.
'We plan to have lots of different small actions in the week before the wedding and to converge in a big demonstration on the day of the wedding.
'During this period, the city will be held hostage by one of the world's richest men, becoming heavily militarized and deprived of its spaces and services. Bezos has rented an entire island, numerous hotels, taxis, and services to host his party and guests.
'This will exacerbate the already problematic movement around the city, particularly with the onset of the tourist season.
'Some areas will be inaccessible or heavily controlled, while the influx of tourists, journalists, wedding staff, and police will further strain the city.
'We cannot accept the presence of such a character in our city, which has a strong anti-fascist tradition, and rejects oligarchs who support authoritarian governments, such as Trump's USA.
'Bezos embodies what this city and global movements have been fighting against for decades - a financial and technological oligarchy that exploits workers, the planet, and controls entire territories and populations.'
The group is already furious with the city's mayor, Luigi Brugnaro, who is under investigation for corruption for multi-million euro kickbacks from favored developers, which has resulted in one top official going to jail.
Laboratorio Occupato Morion spokesperson Alice Bazzoli (pictured) told that Friday's protest will culminate in a 'big demonstration' on the actual wedding day
Last month, Brugnaro confirmed the Bezos wedding would be in Venice, adding: 'We are mutually working and supporting the organizers, to ensure that the event will be absolutely respectful of the fragility and uniqueness of the city.'
But Bazzoli says Brugnaro's words are hot air - and that he's sold the city out to Bezos.
She adds: 'We aim to create a space for discussion and action, which we feel is urgently needed.
'Everyone in Venice, from locals to entrepreneurs, university students, and families, is discussing the event, and outrage is widespread, particularly towards our administration, led by Mayor Luigi Brugnaro, who is currently on trial for corruption.
'He has sold parts of the city to investors linked to his private interests, just as he did with Bezos.'
