Latest news with #VeniceProtest
Yahoo
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
'Eat the rich': Venice protests shadow Bezos wedding
At least 500 protesters marched through Venice on Saturday, condemning Amazon founder Jeff Bezos's wedding to journalist Lauren Sanchez, a lavish affair that has drawn backlash in the historic Italian city. "Bezos, out of the lagoon", the demonstrators chanted as they wound through the city centre, some brandishing signs that read: "Eat the rich", "Rejected", and accusations that Venice's mayor is "corrupt". The peaceful protest, held in sweltering heat, was led by the "No place for Bezos" group, which has campaigned for days against what it calls the couple's harmful economic and environmental footprint on the city. "We are here against what Bezos represents, his model, the Amazon model, based on exploiting people and land," said Alice Bazzoli, 24, an activist with "No Space for Bezos" who has lived in Venice for five years, speaking to AFPTV. Protesters later unfurled a large "No place for Bezos" banner and lit flares above the famous Rialto Bridge spanning the Grand Canal. Matteo Battistuta, a 20-year-old student, said he wanted to send the message that "Venice is fighting back, it's not a dead city, it acts in its own interest before tourism's". "We believe Venice can still be a place worth living in," he added. Bezos, 61, and Sanchez, 55, exchanged vows during a ceremony Friday evening on the island of San Giorgio Maggiore, opposite St Mark's Square. The ceremony capped off a week of yacht parties and VIP events, due to end with a lavish ball Saturday night -- as Venetians remain divided over the impact on the city's image. Guests included Ivanka Trump, Leonardo DiCaprio, Kim Kardashian, Kendall and Kylie Jenner, American football star Tom Brady, TV host Oprah Winfrey and Bill Gates. cor-cmk/blb/srg/gv
Malay Mail
a day ago
- Business
- Malay Mail
‘Eat the rich': Protesters protest Bezos-Sanchez wedding in Venice, decrying wealth and environmental impact
VENICE, June 29 — At least 500 protesters marched through Venice yesterday, condemning Amazon founder Jeff Bezos's wedding to journalist Lauren Sanchez, a lavish affair that has drawn backlash in the historic Italian city. 'Bezos, out of the lagoon', the demonstrators chanted as they wound through the city centre, some brandishing signs that read: 'Eat the rich', 'Rejected', and accusations that Venice's mayor is 'corrupt'. The peaceful protest, held in sweltering heat, was led by the 'No place for Bezos' group, which has campaigned for days against what it calls the couple's harmful economic and environmental footprint on the city. 'We are here against what Bezos represents, his model, the Amazon model, based on exploiting people and land,' said Alice Bazzoli, 24, an activist with 'No Space for Bezos' who has lived in Venice for five years, speaking to AFPTV. Protesters later unfurled a large 'No place for Bezos' banner and lit flares above the famous Rialto Bridge spanning the Grand Canal. People take part in a protest 'No Space for Bezos' a day after the wedding ceremony of Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez in Venice, at Venice's train station on June 28, 2025. — AFP pic Matteo Battistuta, a 20-year-old student, said he wanted to send the message that 'Venice is fighting back, it's not a dead city, it acts in its own interest before tourism's'. 'We believe Venice can still be a place worth living in,' he added. Bezos, 61, and Sanchez, 55, exchanged vows during a ceremony Friday evening on the island of San Giorgio Maggiore, opposite St Mark's Square. The ceremony capped off a week of yacht parties and VIP events, due to end with a lavish ball last night — as Venetians remain divided over the impact on the city's image. Guests included Ivanka Trump, Leonardo DiCaprio, Kim Kardashian, Kendall and Kylie Jenner, American football star Tom Brady, TV host Oprah Winfrey and Bill Gates. — AFP
ABC News
a day ago
- Entertainment
- ABC News
Jeff Bezos's wedding sparks more protests on final day of celebrity extravaganza
Hundreds of protesters have marched through Venice to protest against billionaire Jeff Bezos and his bride's wedding extravaganza on its third and final day. The world's fourth-richest man and Lauren Sánchez Bezos tied the knot on Friday in a private ceremony with about 200 celebrity guests on the secluded island of San Giorgio. The wedding angered many Venetians, with some activists arguing the billionaire was exploiting the city while ordinary residents were suffering from overtourism, high housing costs and the constant threat of climate-induced flooding. As the two newlyweds prepared for the final party on Saturday evening, hundreds of Venetians and protesters from across Italy filled Venice's tiny streets with colourful banners reading "Kisses Yes, Bezos No" and "No Bezos, no War". The demonstration contrasted with the expensive wedding bonanza, seen by critics as an affront to the lagoon city's fragile environment and its citizens. Martina Vergnano, one of the demonstrators, said: "We are here to continue ruining the plans of these rich people who accumulate money by exploiting many other people … while the conditions of this city remain precarious." The protest organisers claimed a victory after Saturday's wedding party, which was initially to be held in central Venice, was later moved to a former medieval shipyard, the Arsenale. Mr Bezos donated 1 million euros ($1.79 million) each to three environmental research organisations working to preserve Venice, according to Venetian environmental research association Corila. But many protesters blasted the move as a clear attempt to appease angry residents. "We want a free Venice, which is finally dedicated to its citizens … those donations are just a misery and only aimed at clearing Bezos's conscience," Venetian activist Flavio Cogo said. Details of the wedding ceremony on Friday night were a closely guarded secret until Ms Sánchez Bezos posted to Instagram a photo of herself beaming in a white gown as she stood alongside a tuxedo-clad Mr Bezos. The star-studded guest list included Oprah Winfrey and NFL great Tom Brady, along with Hollywood stars Leonardo Di Caprio and Orlando Bloom, tech entrepreneur and philanthropist Bill Gates and top socialites, including the Kardashian-Jenner clan. US President Donald Trump's daughter Ivanka Trump, her husband Jared Kushner, and their three children also joined the celebrations. The bride and groom stayed at the Aman Venice hotel on the Grand Canal, where Mr Bezos posed for photos and Ms Sánchez Bezos blew kisses to the press. "The planet is burning but don't worry, here's the list of the 27 dresses of Lauren Sánchez," read one protest slogan, a reference to the bride's reported wedding weekend wardrobe. It featured a mermaid-lined wedding gown by Dolce & Gabbana and other Dolce Vita-inspired looks by Italian designers, including Schiaparelli and Bottega Veneta. The city administration has strongly defended the nuptials as being in keeping with Venice's tradition as an open city that has welcomed popes, emperors and ordinary visitors alike for centuries. AP
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
‘Kisses yes, Bezos No,' protesters say, as Bezos wedding bonanza stirs controversy in Venice
VENICE, Italy (AP) — Hundreds of protesters marched through Venice's central streets on Saturday to say 'No' to billionaire Jeff Bezos, his bride and their much-awaited wedding extravaganza, which reached its third and final day amid celebrity-crowded parties and the outcries of tired residents. On Friday, the world's fourth-richest man and his bride Lauren Sanchez Bezos tied the knot during a private ceremony with around 200 celebrity guests on the secluded island of San Giorgio. The wedding, however, angered many Venetians, with some activists protesting it as an exploitation of the city by the billionaire Bezos, while ordinary residents suffer from overtourism, high housing costs and the constant threat of climate-induced flooding. As the two newlyweds prepared for the final party Saturday evening, hundreds of Venetians and protesters from across Italy filled Venice's tiny streets with colorful banners reading 'Kisses Yes, Bezos No' and 'No Bezos, no War.' The demonstration contrasted with the expensive wedding bonanza, seen by critics as an affront to the lagoon city's fragile environment and its citizens, overwhelmed by throngs of tourists. 'We are here to continue ruining the plans of these rich people, who accumulate money by exploiting many other people … while the conditions of this city remain precarious,' said Martina Vergnano, one of the demonstrators. The protest organizers claimed a victory after Saturday's wedding party, which was initially to be held in central Venice but which they said was later moved to a former medieval shipyard, the Arsenale. Bezos donated 1 million euros ($1.17 million) each to three environmental research organizations working to preserve Venice, according to Corila, the Venetian environmental research association. But many protesters blasted the move as a clear attempt to appease angry residents. 'We want a free Venice, which is finally dedicated to its citizens. … Those donations are just a misery and only aimed at clearing Bezos' conscience,' said Flavio Cogo, a Venetian activist who joined Saturday's protest. Details of the exclusive wedding ceremony Friday night were a closely guarded secret, until Sánchez Bezos posted to Instagram a photo of herself beaming in a white gown as she stood alongside a tuxedo-clad Bezos. Athletes, celebrities, influencers and business leaders converged to revel in extravagance that was as much a testament to the couple's love as to their extraordinary wealth. The star-studded guest list included Oprah Winfrey and NFL great Tom Brady, along with Hollywood stars Leonardo Di Caprio and Orlando Bloom, tech entrepreneur and philanthropist Bill Gates and top socialites, including the Kardashian-Jenner clan. Ivanka Trump, her husband Jared Kushner, and their three children also joined the celebrations. The bride and groom stayed at the Aman Venice hotel on the Grand Canal, where Bezos posed for photos and Sanchez Bezos blew kisses to the press. 'The planet is burning but don't worry, here's the list of the 27 dresses of Lauren Sánchez,' read one protest slogan, a reference to the bride's reported wedding weekend wardrobe. It featured a mermaid-lined wedding gown by Dolce & Gabbana and other Dolce Vita-inspired looks by Italian designers, including Schiaparelli and Bottega Veneta. The city administration has strongly defended the nuptials as in keeping with Venice's tradition as an open city that has welcomed popes, emperors and ordinary visitors alike for centuries. ___ Zampano reported from Rome. Associated Press journalist Niccolò Lupone in Venice contributed to this report.
News.com.au
2 days ago
- Business
- News.com.au
'Eat the rich': Venice protests shadow Bezos wedding
At least 500 protesters marched through Venice on Saturday, condemning Amazon founder Jeff Bezos's wedding to journalist Lauren Sanchez, a lavish affair that has drawn backlash in the historic Italian city. "Bezos, out of the lagoon", the demonstrators chanted as they wound through the city centre, some brandishing signs that read: "Eat the rich", "Rejected", and accusations that Venice's mayor is "corrupt". The peaceful protest, held in sweltering heat, was led by the "No place for Bezos" group, which has campaigned for days against what it calls the couple's harmful economic and environmental footprint on the city. "We are here against what Bezos represents, his model, the Amazon model, based on exploiting people and land," said Alice Bazzoli, 24, an activist with "No Space for Bezos" who has lived in Venice for five years, speaking to AFPTV. Protesters later unfurled a large "No place for Bezos" banner and lit flares above the famous Rialto Bridge spanning the Grand Canal. Matteo Battistuta, a 20-year-old student, said he wanted to send the message that "Venice is fighting back, it's not a dead city, it acts in its own interest before tourism's". "We believe Venice can still be a place worth living in," he added. Bezos, 61, and Sanchez, 55, exchanged vows during a ceremony Friday evening on the island of San Giorgio Maggiore, opposite St Mark's Square. The ceremony capped off a week of yacht parties and VIP events, due to end with a lavish ball Saturday night -- as Venetians remain divided over the impact on the city's image.
