Venice Anti-Bezos Protests Gain Momentum with Greenpeace Banner
VENICE, ITALY – Protests against Amazon founder Jeff Bezos’s upcoming wedding to Lauren Sanchez in Venice escalated recently, with Greenpeace joining a growing chorus of voices. On Monday morning, the environmental group unfurled a striking banner in the heart of the city, St. Mark’s Square, directly challenging the billionaire on the issue of taxation.
A group of about half a dozen protesters, including Greenpeace activists, displayed a large banner bearing the unambiguous message: “IF YOU CAN RENT VENICE FOR YOUR WEDDING YOU CAN PAY MORE TAX.” Local police quickly intervened, taking down the banner.
This demonstration adds to a series of anti-Bezos initiatives that have emerged in Venice ahead of the high-profile nuptials, scheduled for later in the week. Previous protests saw banners hung from prominent landmarks like the San Giorgio bell tower and the iconic Rialto Bridge, alongside protest posters appearing across the lagoon city.
“No Space for Bezos” Movement Unites Venetian Concerns
The collective action is organized under the banner of the “No Space for Bezos” movement, a name playing on the bride’s recent space flight. This movement is a coalition of around a dozen diverse Venetian organizations, including:
Housing advocates
Campaigners against large cruise ships
- University student groups
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Activists argue that a lavish event like the Bezos wedding starkly highlights perceived failures in municipal governance. They contend that the city often prioritizes high-end tourism and the demands of wealthy visitors over the critical needs and welfare of its permanent residents.
Greenpeace Links Billionaire Taxes to Climate Crisis
Greenpeace stated their participation in the St. Mark’s Square protest aimed to specifically draw attention to the issue of comparatively low taxes often paid by many billionaires. The organization, which collaborated with the British group “Everyone Hates Elon” for the banner action, alleges that the environmentally unsustainable lifestyles of some billionaires exacerbate the climate crisis while they avoid contributing their fair share financially.
Official Reaction and Philanthropic Context
In contrast to the protesters’ stance, Italian and Venetian officials have publicly criticized the demonstrations. They have expressed their welcome for the Bezos-Sanchez wedding, viewing it positively for the city.
Adding another layer to the narrative, a Venetian environmental research association, Corila, recently disclosed that Bezos’s Earth Fund is supporting their work with an “important donation.” Corila, which unites university scholars and Italy’s main national research council in researching protection strategies for Venice, confirmed that contact regarding the donation began in April, well before the recent protests commenced. The specific amount of the donation was not disclosed.
The protests underscore ongoing tensions in historic cities like Venice between the economic benefits of high-profile tourism and the social and environmental impacts on local communities.
