On the secluded island of San Giorgio, the fourth-richest man in the world, Bezos, and his bride, Lauren Sanchez Bezos, were married in a private ceremony on Friday.
Protesters threw banners at Venice’s central streets before the final party on Saturday night as part of a three-day wedding celebration that read “Kisses Yes, Bezos No” and “No Bezos, no War” and filled the streets with people before the ceremony, which took place on Saturday night.
The list of Lauren Sanchez’s 27 dresses read, “The planet is burning, but don’t worry, here’s the list,” according to another poster.
Residents of Venice have been protesting for the past few days over what they have described as anger because Venice is plagued by overtourism, high housing costs, and the ongoing threat of climate-induced flooding.
One of the demonstrators, Martina Vergnano, claimed that they were present to “continue ruining the plans of these wealthy people, who accumulate money by exploiting many other people, while the conditions of this city remain precarious.”
Bezos gave one million euros ($1.11 million) each to three environmental research organizations working to preserve Venice, according to the Venetian Environmental Research Association.
Residents of Venice, who also signed up for the protest on Saturday, have a “free Venice that is ultimately dedicated to its citizens.”
According to Cogo, “Those donations are just a misery and are only intended to purge Bezos’ conscience.”
Venetian politicians and business leaders welcomed the wedding despite the protests and praised it as a significant economic boost.
The protesters “in contravention with the history of Venice, which is one of relations, contacts, and business,” according to Mayor Luigi Brugnaro.
“Bezos embodies the Venetian mentality,” he says. The center-right mayor claimed that he was hoping Bezos would make a city-wide business trip. “He is more Venetian than the protesters.
Source: Aljazeera
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