Italian climate activists have a strong message for tech billionaire Jeff Bezos as he prepares for his extravagant wedding in Venice. Greenpeace Italy made a bold statement by unveiling a massive banner in Venice’s Piazza San Marco, criticizing Bezos for his lavish wedding plans in the historic city. The banner displayed a photo of Bezos with the caption, “If you can rent Venice for your wedding, you can pay more tax.”
In a statement shared on Instagram, Greenpeace called out the “super-rich” for their lack of action in addressing the ongoing climate crisis. The group highlighted the devastating impacts of the climate crisis, including floods, droughts, heatwaves, and wildfires, attributing them to polluting businesses that worsen environmental pollution. Greenpeace also criticized governments for allowing these businesses to evade taxes instead of encouraging them to contribute to the ecological transition.
The demonstration comes in the wake of a ruling by Europe’s top court that Amazon did not have to pay 250 million euros in back taxes to Luxembourg, where its European headquarters are located. Bezos’ wedding, scheduled to take place at an undisclosed venue in Venice, has sparked backlash from local residents. Protesters have been vocal in their opposition to the event, pasting “No Space for Bezos” posters across the city and threatening to block the canals and picket the ceremony.
Concerns have been raised about the impact of the three-day event on Venice, a city already struggling with overtourism. Residents fear that the influx of visitors for the wedding will overwhelm the vulnerable city’s fragile infrastructure. Climate emergency groups have also criticized Amazon’s carbon emissions, pointing out that despite the company’s pledge to reduce its footprint, emissions have continued to rise annually.
As the controversy surrounding Bezos’ wedding grows, calls for taxing the super-rich and holding them accountable for the destruction they cause have intensified. Greenpeace EU emphasized the need for public services and housing over VIP events and over-tourism, urging action to address the environmental impact of the super-rich. The world is not their playground, and it’s time to make them pay for the damage they contribute to.
