Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez’s upcoming wedding in Venice has stirred controversy as local residents voice frustration over the event’s impact on the city.
A massive 65-by-65-foot banner was unveiled in Venice’s iconic St. Mark’s Square, demanding that Bezos pay more taxes in light of the scale of the wedding and the city’s rental disruption. The banner was displayed by the campaign group Everyone Hates Elon in partnership with Greenpeace, sending a powerful message that has captured widespread attention.
The group criticized Bezos, the world’s third-richest man with a net worth of $220 billion, for shutting down large parts of Venice for his wedding. They called it “ridiculous” that such an extravagant event could take place while the Italian government struggles to fund public services.
A spokesperson for the campaign stated,
“While ordinary people struggle to pay the bills, there are more billionaires than ever before. These two things are obviously connected; they’re getting richer at our expense. It’s not rocket science: tax billionaires like Jeff Bezos now.”
This banner is the latest in a series of protest posters that have appeared across the city in recent weeks. Despite the backlash, Bezos and Sanchez appear to be proceeding with their plans unaffected.
The couple and their guests are reportedly staying at the Aman Venice hotel, which is fully booked from June 25 to June 29 in anticipation of the wedding. While protests continue, the ceremony is set to go ahead, with the banners serving as a vivid reminder of the public scrutiny surrounding this high-profile event.
