Jeff Bezos‘s multi-million-dollar wedding to fiancée Lauren Sánchez in Venice has sparked a series of protests. The founder of Amazon and space firm Blue Origin will wed former news presenter Ms Sánchez at the end of this month.
Mr Bezos’s net worth is estimated to be £164.2 billion ($220.9bn). The wedding is expected to see hundreds of guests descend on Venice, with local media reporting the nuptials have seen luxury hotels fully booked.
Activists from the protest group, No Space for Bezos, are furious, claiming tourists are being prioritised over locals.
Federica Toninelli, 33, told the BBC that Venice was being treated like a stage, and the wedding symbolised outsiders exploiting the city. She said: “Venice is now just an asset.”
Ms Toninelli said the activists weren’t against tourism as an idea, but didn’t want it to dominate the city.
The group is threatening to disrupt the nuptials by jumping into Venice’s canals and block its narrow streets to obstruct guests making their way to the wedding venue.
No Space for Bezos members have already displayed banners from the Rialto Bridge and the bell tower of San Giorgio Maggiore basilica.
Organisers said they want to start a debate and say people like Mr Bezos aren’t welcome in Venice.
Mayor of Venice, Luigi Brugnaro, said he hoped Mr Bezos didn’t have second thoughts and he felt ashamed of the protesters.
Mr Brugnaro previously said that with only 200 wedding guests, it would be “easy” for Venice to accommodate the event without any disruption to the city, its residents, and visitors.
It hasn’t been confirmed who will attend the wedding, but Vogue reports that likely guests include Katy Perry, Kim Kardashian, Kris Jenner, and Eva Longoria.
According to the same publication, Leonardo DiCaprio, Queen Rania of Jordan, and Bill Gates may also be there.