Protesters in Venice have declared a significant victory as tech mogul Jeff Bezos shifted the venue for his highly anticipated wedding celebration, moving it from the originally planned city center location to a more distant site. The three-day festivities for Bezos, who is tying the knot with TV personality Lauren Sanchez, initially included a lavish event at the magnificent Scuola Grande della Misericordia. However, it has since been confirmed that the venue will now be at the Arsenale, located further from the city’s heart.

Activists from a coalition called No Space for Bezos expressed their triumph over the billionaire's retreat. "We are very proud of this! We are nobodies, we have no money, nothing!" stated Tommaso Cacciari, a member of the group, to BBC News. He highlighted the grassroots essence of their campaign that successfully influenced one of the wealthiest individuals on the planet to alter his plans.

The upcoming wedding is expected to attract a plethora of high-profile guests, including celebrities such as Kim Kardashian and Leonardo DiCaprio, and is anticipated to cause significant disruptions, from congested private jet traffic at Venice’s airport to yacht influxes at the harbor. Reports indicate that several hotels have already been booked to accommodate these affluent visitors.

Protests have emerged from a diverse coalition of activists concerned with climate change, the pressures of over-tourism, and the political influences associated with Bezos. The streets of Venice have seen “No Space for Bezos” posters and protest banners stretched across bridges, emphasizing the community's growing discontent. Greenpeace activist Simona Abbate criticized the wedding, remarking, "This isn't just a celebration of two people getting married; it's a display of a lifestyle that's simply unsustainable."

Despite the national backlash against such protests, local officials maintain that high-profile events like this bring crucial revenue to Venice. City councillor Simone Venturini dismissed the activists as a "tiny minority," arguing that the benefits provided by celebrity visitors ultimately outweigh the concerns raised by protesters.

Nonetheless, issues of over-tourism remain critical, with residents feeling increasingly alienated by the influx of visitors. Although local authorities have implemented a minor tourist tax, many believe it has failed to alleviate the pressures faced by the city.

While some protests—and even a playful protest planned with inflatable alligators—have been canceled, No Space for Bezos is still organizing an evening march in the coming days to voice their dissent. Cacciari emphasized their ongoing concern, indicating that Bezos’ presence represents a broader issue: the transformation of Venice into a backdrop for the wealthy rather than its traditional role as a bustling, vibrant city.