Bezos Alters $55 Million Wedding Plans in Venice after Protests | Vantage on Firstpost | N18G

0:03 Now, let's turn our attention to Venice where Jeff Bezos is all set to marry Lauren Sanchez. Bezos is the founder of Amazon and he is one of the richest people on the planet which is why his choice of wedding venue has been met with protests. Venice is battling over tourism. Locals say that they have been priced out of the city. People fear that the Bezos wedding will turn Venice into an even bigger playground for the rich. For days now, thousands of people have taken to the streets. They have threatened to jump into the canals along with inflatable crocodiles. So Bezos has been forced to alter his wedding plans. Here's a report.

0:52 Venice is like no other. The city seems to have risen out of the water. There's a canal view down every street. Bridges stop dead at front doors. Churches are adorned with Renaissance art masterpieces. And that's probably why one of the richest men on the planet wants to hold his nuptils here. Amazon founder Jeff Bezos is getting married to Lauren Sanchez. It will be a dayslong event likely to occur between 26th and June 28th and no expense has been spared for this Venetian wedding. There's a carefully selected star-studded guest list of about 200 people, possibly including Elon Musk,

1:40 Kim Kardashian, Leonardo DiCaprio, and several of the Trumps. About 95 private jets are expected to jam up the Venice airport. Private yachts have started taking over the busy harbor. At least five hotels with $10,000 a night rooms have been completely booked out and former US Marines have been hired to provide security. To answer your burning question, yes, this is a costly affair, reportedly worth over $55 million. But fret not, because the groom is probably not worried. Bezos net worth stands at $227

2:26 billion. which is also why locals are not standing for his wedding. In March, Venice's millionaire mayor, Luigi Buggierro, confirmed that the couple would be getting married in the city. Since then, protests have flooded the floating city. Thousands of people have taken to the streets. Banners screaming no space for Bezos have been plastered on the walls. In the main public square, a huge sign has been unfurled saying, "If you can rent Venice for your wedding, you can pay more tax." [Music] As usual, only those who have money can do this. Venice has now become a tourist

3:12 property. They've become the masters. Now, if you can afford to shut down a city for a wedding, then yes, you can pay more taxes. The wedding guests started arriving yesterday, so protesters ramped up their moves, threatening to launch themselves into canals near key venues and fill the waterways with inflatable crocodiles. As absurd as this sounds, it has worked because the wedding venue has been moved from a majestic 16th century building in the city center to Arsenale hidden between a historic complex of shipyards surrounded by fortified walls because apparently the Marines are not protection enough. And this move is a

3:59 major victory for the campaigners. Their protest is not about the wedding itself. It's about what this wedding represents. The display of an arrogant, unsustainable lifestyle by a multi-billionaire whose company Amazon has been accused of tax evasion and abuses against workers. For Venetians, this is personal. For years now, the city has suffered from over tourism. Locals say that they're being priced out of the city. And with the Bezos wedding, this world heritage site could become an even bigger playground for the rich. But with the threat of crocodiles, albeit inflatable ones. Protesters have reigned on the parade. After all, at weddings,

4:45 you are asked to speak now or forever hold your peace, and Venetians sure are speaking up. [Music] First post now available in nine languages on YouTube.

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