Billionaire's Venice Wedding Sparks Protests Over Opulence and Inequality

Venice, Italy - Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez have arrived in Venice, Italy, ahead of their highly anticipated wedding. The opulent event, shrouded in secrecy, is drawing both global attention and local protests. CNN Senior International Correspondent Melissa Bell reported from Venice that "the final preparations are underway." The couple has reportedly kept many details "under wraps, no doubt because of the media reports of likely protests." The guest list, expected to be a "star-studded extravaganza," reportedly includes high-profile figures such as Mick Jagger, Oprah Winfrey, Ivanka Trump, and Jared Kushner, who were spotted in Venice on Tuesday. To accommodate the event, 30 of Venice's 280 elite water taxis and nine yacht ports are believed to have been booked. However, the lavish affair has ignited criticism from various activist groups. Simona Abbate, a Greenpeace campaigner, stated, "The problem is not the wedding. The problem is the system. We think that one big billionaire can't rent a city for his pleasure." The "No Space for Bezos" protest group claimed victory on Tuesday, suggesting that one of the wedding parties might be moved out of the city center to the Arsenale due to their actions. Greenpeace activists unfurled a massive banner in San Marco Square on Monday, criticizing the wedding's opulence. American tourist Crystal Yoder commented on the situation, saying, "If you can afford to shut down the city for a wedding, then yes, you can pay more taxes and yes, you can help out people in the world that need it." Another American tourist, Nicole Gamboa, acknowledged the grandeur, stating, "Who doesn't want to get married here? I do think it's a little over the top, but I think he's bringing a lot of business to the city here." In an apparent effort to mitigate criticism, the couple has reportedly donated to several charitable foundations in Venice devoted to architectural and cultural preservation. A portion of the wedding invitation, broadcast by ABC's "Good Morning America," suggested guests not bring gifts, but rather make donations to these causes on their behalf.