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Protesters in Venice opposing the upcoming wedding of billionaire and Amazon founder Jeff Bezos to journalist Lauren Sanchez claim victory after their threats of a blockade forced a change of venue for the wedding reception.
The group "No Space for Bezos" had called for the blockage of the canals around the Grande Scuola Misericordia, a 14th-century building in central Venice, where it was believed the couple would host a grand celebration on June 28, the day after the wedding ceremony.
The protesters said the party had been moved to a less picturesque setting, a “tesa” (shipyard) in the renovated naval area known as the Arsenale, on the outer edge of the city. The group hailed this as a victory over Venice’s mayor, Luigi Brugnaro, who had condemned the protests.
“Victory! The protest managed to destroy Bezos’ plans and the games of Mayor Brugnaro’s palace,” the group wrote in an online post. “They were forced to leave and take shelter in Tese 91 of the Arsenale. Not even Bezos’ two yachts, Koru and Abeona, will arrive in Venice.”
While details about Bezos and Sanchez's wedding remain officially unconfirmed, including dates, locations and guest lists, public opposition has been growing.
"No Space for Bezos" placed a banner with Bezos' name crossed out above the main bell tower on the island of San Giorgio Maggiore, where the couple is believed to be getting married. Another banner was placed on the famous Rialto Bridge over the Grand Canal.
In a separate protest on Monday, environmental activists from Greenpeace unfurled a giant banner with Bezos' smiling face and the inscription: "If you can rent Venice for your wedding, you can pay even more taxes." The banner, about 400 square meters, was quickly removed by local police.
The protests against Bezos are just one chapter in a series of rebellions by Venetian residents against mass tourism and the damage that, they say, is destroying the quality of life in the city - including damage from large cruise ships.
The wedding is expected to last three days, starting on June 26 with a party on the Venice Lido (where the famous film festival is also held), the wedding ceremony on June 27 on the island of San Giorgio, and then a final concert and reception on June 28, the location of which, according to protesters, has already been changed.
The "No Space for Bezos" protesters, who will not have access to the Arsenale area, have announced that they will move the protest on Saturday to the Santa Lucia train station, to protest not only against Bezos, but also against the war.
“We have shown once again that Venice is not a servant of the powerful, but remains rebellious and resistant,” the group posted. “Now, faced with the war scenario looming on the horizon, and as the eyes of the world are on Venice, we invite everyone to join the call: 'no to war.'” /CNN
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