multi-million dollar ceremony that could shut parts of the famous city down. Jeff Bezos, 61, is the world's third richest person, with an estimated net worth of $220.9billion. He owns Amazon and space tech company Blue Origin. Hundreds of high-profile guests are due to descend on Venice between 23 and 28 June for the nuptials, which will reportedly take over the whole island of San Giorgio, opposite St Mark's Square.

According to Italian media almost every luxury hotel has been booked out by the wedding party, as have many water taxis. "Venice is being treated like a showcase, a stage," said Federica Toninelli, a 33-year-old Venetian activist affiliated with the No Space for Bezos protest group. "And this wedding is the symbol of the exploitation of the city by outsiders... Venice is now just an asset." No Space for Bezos unites activists belonging to various Venetian collectives – from those campaigning for more housing for Venice's dwindling population to the anti-cruise ship committee. "These topics are all linked," Toninelli told the BBC. "They all have to do with Venice turning into a place that puts tourists, rather than residents, at the centre of its politics."

Last Thursday the collective unfurled banners against Bezos from the bell tower of the San Giorgio Maggiore basilica and the Rialto Bridge. Next week, they plan to disrupt the festivities by jumping into the canals to hinder the water taxis and blocking various calli, Venice's narrow streets, to prevent the wedding guests from reaching the venue. In a social media call-out for people to join the protests, activists accused conservative Venice Mayor Luigi Brugnaro of treating residents "like a nuisance... because for him the only valid use of Venice is as a backdrop for events that make the rich richer." Organisers say the aim of the protests - which they insist will be entirely peaceful - is twofold. (BBC/ Getty Images)