Venetians protest against Bezos' wedding over tourism concerns

In Venice, Italy, locals are voicing their concerns over the upcoming wedding of Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez, scheduled to take place from June 24 to 26. Protests began as citizens fear that the wedding will exacerbate the city's existing overtourism crisis, which has long been a source of contention among residents. Venice, a UNESCO World Heritage site with a population of about 50,000, is projected to host around 20 million visitors yearly, leading to significant issues like high housing costs and erosion of local culture. Organizers of the protests, such as Federica Toninello, are calling for disruption of the wedding events, highlighting that the city's charm is being overshadowed by wealthy visitors. Some residents have expressed differing views, noting the revenue that such high-profile events could bring. However, the overarching sentiment among protesters is that the wedding signifies a commodification of their city. Local officials, including Mayor Luigi Brugnaro, assert that Venice is well-suited to host significant events with minimal disruption to daily life. They claim that the wedding will be respectful of the city’s unique character and that local vendors are being utilized for the preparations. In response, the mayor maintains that the protests do not represent the views of the majority of Venetians who are proud of their city being chosen for such a high-profile celebration. Despite the city's positive outlook on the economic benefits, many locals are skeptical. They believe that these events cater primarily to the wealthy and do little to address ongoing challenges like high rents and inadequate public services. As the wedding date approaches, the tension between the allure of celebrity events and the concerns of local residents continues to grow, highlighting the ongoing struggles within the tourism sector in Venice.