Latest news with #anti-Bezos
NDTV
14 hours ago
- Business
- NDTV
"No Space For Bezos": Why Venice Locals Are Against The Billionaire's Wedding
Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and his fiancee Lauren Sanchez, former TV journalist, are set to get married. The details of the nuptials are top secret with even the date of the wedding not public yet but the festivities are scheduled for 24-26th June. However, there is a lot of anger among locals as they fear the world heritage site will suffer from the effects of excessive tourism. Activists have ramped up their "No space for Bezos" campaign after Luigi Brugnaro, Venice's millionaire mayor, confirmed in March that the couple would be getting married in the city. The locals erected a banner reading "No Bezos" on the bell tower of San Giorgio basilica on the Venetian island of San Giorgio, where the couple is rumoured to be exchanging vows. According to a report by the NYT, Federica Toninello, a protest organiser, said that one of the venues could be The Misericordia, a former charity turned events hall. But she said that Bezos will never get to the venue. "Bezos will never get to the Misericordia," she said, adding, "We will line the streets with our bodies, block the canals with lifesavers, dinghies and our boats." Na Haby Stella Faye, another protester, said, "We have a chance to disrupt a ten million dollar wedding - let's do it." Despite very little information about the wedding, the press has been filled with hearsay about guests, hotel rooms, the bride's dress and more. "This wedding is causing much friction, especially because it is happening at a time when Venice, already invaded by uncontrolled tourism, is completely worn out," said Giovanni Andrea Martini, a councillor for the opposition, per a report by the Guardian. Brugnaro has called the anti-Bezos campaigners "shameful" and has informed locals that the wedding will not cause any inconvenience. "Only 200 guests will have been invited and therefore it will be easy for Venice to accommodate such an event, without any disruption whatsoever to the city, its residents and visitors," the Municipality of Venice said, according to The opposition member, Giovanni Andrea Martini, said that Brugnaro's claims are "false". He slammed the "extreme case of the Disneyfication of Venice," and said the wedding "won't bring any benefit to ordinary Venetians. It is just going to cause inconvenience."
The Star
a day ago
- Business
- The Star
Locals bitter over Jeff Bezos's upcoming Venice wedding
People gather to protest against the wedding of Bezos and Sanchez in Venice, on June 13, 2025. Poster campaigns and stickers have spread throughout the city, including one with images of Bezos reading 'No space for Bezos' as some local residents protest claiming the city is transformed into a playground for billionaires. — AFP ROME: Residents of Venice, already fed up with crowds of tourists cramming into their canal city, now have one more gripe: Jeff Bezos. The billionaire Amazon founder is due to marry journalist Lauren Sanchez in a celebration in Venice from June 24 to 26 that is expected to attract countless VIPs. Not everyone is feeling the love though, with some residents hanging a huge banner with an X over Bezos's name on a belltower overlooking the Venice lagoon before the sign was removed on Thursday. "He's not welcome, not in Venice, not anywhere!" wrote the "No Space for Bezos" collective on Facebook, which was responsible for the banner. Bezos is also the owner of space travel company Blue Origin, whose all-female flight in April carrying Sanchez, pop star Katy Perry and four others met with a public backlash for its high cost and environmental impact. The anti-Bezos group, whose posters and stickers have been seen in recent days across the city, has called a public assembly for Friday evening to drum up opposition. The UNESCO-listed city, famous for its romantic gondolas and canals, is a favourite spot for lovers. In September 2014, it was the backdrop for the wedding of Hollywood actor George Clooney and human rights lawyer Amal Alamuddin, a glamourous high-profile event that attracted countless tourists, fans and onlookers. The atmosphere ahead of Bezos's nuptials appeared more hostile. "Venice is a living city, not a place to rent to the highest bidder," the collective wrote on social media. Venice's mayor, Luigi Brugnaro, had welcomed the couple's decision, however, saying in March that the wedding would bring in millions of dollars to the city. City hall in March blasted "fake news" circulating about the wedding, saying that only 200 people were on the guest list and that the event would be "without any disruption whatsoever to the city, its residents and visitors". Local media say that five hotels have been reserved for the occasion, as well as an impressive fleet of water cabs and a mooring for Bezos's megayacht. It is unclear where exactly the marriage ceremony will take place. – AFP
Time of India
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Bezos and Lauren Sanchez's Venice wedding plans hit a wall — locals protest, aren't rolling out the red carpet
Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez may have envisioned a lavish wedding in Venice, but the locals have different plans. While celebrities prepare to celebrate, Venetians express their dissatisfaction loudly and publicly. The couple's flashy event has sparked a growing citywide protest. Why are locals protesting the wedding? Locals in Venice are protesting Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez's extravagant wedding, calling it disruptive in the midst of the city's ongoing struggle with overtourism. Posters criticizing the Sanchezos' wedding are all over the town, and one even threw a huge red X over his name from the ancient bell tower of the San Giorgio Maggiore Church in Venice. The Venetians aren't holding back. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 23.7% Returns in last 5 years with Shriram Life's ULIP Shriram Life Insurance Undo Locals are publicly criticizing the billionaire's ostentatious three-day wedding takeover of their city with their "No Space for Bezos" posters. Posters have appeared throughout the city. ALSO READ: Donald Trump's birthday military parade to be cancelled? Reports suggest a strong possibility - all updates Live Events Is the backlash really about Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez? "There is nothing personal against the couple," one of the organizers of the anti-Bezos demonstration stated. The anti-Bezos campaign's Alice Bazzoli claims that while Bezos is not personally affected, his extravagant wedding is just one more setback for the residents of Venice, who are already dealing with the daily chaos caused by tourists, as per a report by TMZ. Bezos and Sanchez are not backing down after months of prep, but their wedding will likely have more side-eyes than champagne toasts. Though the couple is undeterred, it is clear that their wedding will not win over everyone. FAQs Why are Venetians upset about Bezos' wedding? Locals say it's not personal; they're just tired of tourists and extravagant events overpowering the city. Will the wedding still take place in Venice? Yes, despite the protests, Bezos and Sanchez are not changing their plans.
