Activists in Venice are celebrating what they describe as a significant victory after tech mogul Jeff Bezos shifted the location of his wedding festivities away from the city center. The high-profile wedding, marking the union of Bezos and TV presenter Lauren Sanchez, had been set for a lavish event at the Scuola Grande della Misericordia but will now take place at the more distant Arsenale.
Members of the protest group, No Space for Bezos, expressed their pride in influencing such a powerful figure. “We’re just ordinary citizens, and we managed to change plans for one of the world’s wealthiest individuals,” said Tommaso Cacciari.
The wedding is anticipated to attract numerous celebrities, including Kim Kardashian and Leonardo DiCaprio, and has prompted concern over the influx of private jets and yachts into Venice, straining the city’s resources.
Various activist groups, including those advocating against over-tourism and climate change, have voiced their disapproval, using protests and banners to convey their message. One Greenpeace activist highlighted the broader implications of such a lavish event, stating it represents an unsustainable lifestyle amid a climate crisis.
Despite pushback from city officials, who emphasize that high-profile events contribute positively to the local economy, activists argue that over-tourism is detrimental to residents and the historic landscape of Venice.
While initial protest plans have been scaled back, the No Space for Bezos group is still launching a light display and organizing a march to voice their concerns about the city’s changing identity under the pressures of wealth and tourism.
Source: www.bbc.com
