VENICE, Italy (AP) — Tons of of protesters marched by way of Venice’s central streets on Saturday to say “No” to billionaire Jeff Bezos, his bride and their much-anticipated wedding extravaganza, which reached its third and ultimate day amid celebrity-crowded events and the outcries of drained residents.
On Friday, the world’s fourth-richest man and his bride Lauren Sanchez Bezos tied the knot throughout a non-public ceremony with round 200 superstar company on the secluded island of San Giorgio.
The marriage, nevertheless, divided Venice, with some activists protesting it as an exploitation of town by the billionaire Bezos, whereas extraordinary residents endure from overtourism, excessive housing prices and the fixed menace of climate-induced flooding.
As the 2 newlyweds ready for the ultimate social gathering on Saturday night, lots of of Venetians and protesters from throughout Italy stuffed Venice’s tiny streets with colourful banners studying “Kisses Sure, Bezos No” and “No Bezos, no Struggle.”
The demonstration contrasted with the costly marriage ceremony bonanza, seen by critics as an affront to the lagoon metropolis’s fragile atmosphere and its residents, overwhelmed by throngs of vacationers.
“We’re right here to proceed ruining the plans of those wealthy individuals, who accumulate cash by exploiting many different individuals … whereas the circumstances of this metropolis stay precarious,” mentioned Martina Vergnano, one of many demonstrators.
The protest organizers had welcomed information that Saturday’s marriage ceremony social gathering, to be initially held on in central Venice, was later moved to a former medieval shipyard, the Arsenale, amid excessive safety.
Bezos donated 1 million euros ($1.17 million) every to a few environmental analysis organizations working to protect Venice, in response to Corila, the Venetian environmental analysis affiliation.
However many protesters noticed the transfer as a transparent instance of “greenwashing.”
“We would like a free Venice, which is lastly devoted to its residents. … These donations are only a distress and solely geared toward clearing Bezos’ conscience,” mentioned Flavio Cogo, a Venetian activist who joined Saturday’s protest.
Particulars of the unique marriage ceremony ceremony Friday evening have been a carefully guarded secret, till Sánchez Bezos posted to Instagram a photo of herself beaming in a white robe as she stood alongside a tuxedo-clad Bezos.
Athletes, celebrities, influencers and business leaders converged to enjoy extravagance that was as a lot a testomony to the couple’s love as to their extraordinary wealth.
The star-studded visitor record included Oprah Winfrey and NFL nice Tom Brady, together with Hollywood stars Leonardo Di Caprio and Orlando Bloom, tech entrepreneur and philanthropist Invoice Gates and prime socialites, together with the Kardashian-Jenner clan.
Ivanka Trump, her husband Jared Kushner, and their three kids additionally joined the celebrations.
The bride and groom stayed on the Aman Venice lodge on the Grand Canal, the place Bezos posed for pictures and Sanchez Bezos blew kisses to the press.
“The planet is burning however don’t fear, right here’s the record of the 27 attire of Lauren Sánchez,” learn one protest slogan, a reference to the bride’s reported marriage ceremony weekend wardrobe. It featured a mermaid-lined marriage ceremony robe by Dolce & Gabbana and different Dolce Vita-inspired seems to be by Italian designers, together with Schiaparelli and Bottega Veneta.
The town administration has strongly defended the nuptials as in line with Venice’s custom as an open metropolis that has welcomed popes, emperors and extraordinary guests alike for hundreds of years.
Zampano reported from Rome. Related Press journalist Niccolò Lupone in Venice contributed to this report.
