Amazon billionaire Jeff Bezos and his wife Lauren Sanchez tied the knot in Venice, sparking widespread protests across the city. Hundreds of demonstrators gathered at a train station on Saturday, holding signs that read “Bezos, f**k off” and “Out of our lagoon.” The protesters, many of whom are local residents, expressed outrage over Bezos’ wealth and power, citing his association with US President Donald Trump.
According to protester Hans Peter Martin, Bezos is “abusing this city as a place to show off,” and his wealth has a negative impact on the local community. Sofia D’Amato, a 22-year-old Venetian, echoed this sentiment, saying that while Bezos’ philanthropy may seem impressive, it comes too late for many who are struggling financially.
The protesters highlighted the stark contrast between Bezos’ lavish wedding and the harsh realities of working at his company. Many Amazon workers in attendance spoke out about their struggles to make ends meet, with one protester stating that they “can barely pay the rent.”
The protests drew a diverse range of flags, including Palestinian flags, pride flags, and anti-fascist symbols. Despite being denounced by Venice city officials as “ridiculous” and “grotesque,” the demonstrators remained united in their message, chanting slogans such as “The people united will never be defeated.”
Source: https://edition.cnn.com/2025/06/28/europe/jeff-bezos-wedding-protest-venice-latam-intl