"Eat the rich": Hundreds of protestors demonstrate against lavish Bezos wedding

Venice, Italy - At least 500 protesters marched through Venice on Saturday, condemning Amazon founder Jeff Bezos' wedding to journalist Lauren Sanchez, a lavish affair that has drawn backlash in the historic Italian city.

At least 500 protesters marched through Venice on Saturday, condemning Jeff Bezos' (r.) wedding to Lauren Sanchez, a lavish affair that has drawn backlash. © Collage: ANDREA PATTARO & Marco BERTORELLO / AFP

"Bezos, out of the lagoon", the demonstrators chanted as they wound through the city centre, some brandishing signs that read: "Eat the rich", "Rejected", and accusations that Venice's mayor is "corrupt".

The peaceful protest, held in sweltering heat, was led by the "No place for Bezos" group, which has campaigned for days against what it calls the couple's harmful economic and environmental footprint on the city.

"We are here against what Bezos represents, his model, the Amazon model, based on exploiting people and land," said Alice Bazzoli (24), an activist with "No Space for Bezos" who has lived in Venice for five years, speaking to AFPTV.

Protesters later unfurled a large "No place for Bezos" banner and lit flares above the famous Rialto Bridge spanning the Grand Canal.

Matteo Battistuta, a 20-year-old student, said he wanted to send the message that "Venice is fighting back, it's not a dead city, it acts in its own interest before tourism's".

"We believe Venice can still be a place worth living in," he added.

Protesters took to the streets of Venice, Italy this week to denounce Jeff Bezos’ extravagant wedding.

Activists say the billionaire’s lavish lifestyle—and that of his guests, many of whom arrived by private jet—is unsustainable and a symbol of deepening global inequality pic.twitter.com/ASIaaDelyW

— TRT World (@trtworld) June 28, 2025

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A-listers flock to Venice as Bezos and Sanchez say "I do"

Bezos (61) and Sanchez (55) exchanged vows during a ceremony Friday evening on the island of San Giorgio Maggiore, opposite St Mark's Square.

The ceremony capped off a week of yacht parties and VIP events, due to end with a lavish ball Saturday night – as Venetians remain divided over the impact on the city's image.

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Guests included Ivanka Trump, Leonardo DiCaprio, Kim Kardashian, Kendall and Kylie Jenner, American football star Tom Brady, TV host Oprah Winfrey, and Bill Gates.