Hundreds of protesters rallied at Tesla stores across several cities, including Washington, DC, and Boston, on Saturday. The protesters were expressing their anger against CEO Elon Musk and his contentious involvement with the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) that is attempting to cut government spending.
This protest is part of an ongoing movement, ‘Tesla Takedown,’ to urge individuals to boycott Tesla and its CEO. CNN reported that an estimated 80 protests were held on that Saturday.
The protest website calls for individuals to sell their Teslas, no longer invest in the company, and take up positions on the picket lines. The message from the protestors reads, “Sell your Teslas, dump your stock, join the picket lines. Hurting Tesla is stopping Musk.”
“Stopping Musk will help save lives and our democracy. The stakes couldn’t be higher. No one is coming to save usnot politicians, not the media,” it added.
Elon Musk’s controversial role
Elon Musk has come under fire for his advocacy of several government policies, particularly his efforts to slash programs such as Social Security and healthcare. Other protestors are also frustrated by Musk’s role in influencing the Trump administration.
Senator Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) complained about Musk’s actions in a social media video. He reported that whenever he rode in his Tesla, he was reminded of the ill effects that Musk and former President Donald Trump are leaving on the nation. Kelly even went so far as to sell his Tesla, referring to it as “designed by an a**hole” and stating he did not want to be funding Musk’s political agenda.
Musk’s activism with DOGE, where he consults with President Trump, has also been controversial. He has advocated for reducing the size of the US government by shutting down agencies such as the US Agency for International Development and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. This has raised many doubts about Musk’s influence on US policies.
Vandalism against Tesla dealerships
The demonstrations have also become violent in some places. In Oregon, gunshots were directed at a Tesla dealership in Tigard on Thursday, just days after one had taken place at the same dealership. Police stated that more than a dozen shots were fired at the dealership. It damaged automobiles and windows of the dealership. However, no one was hurt.
The shootings continue to be investigated by authorities, the FBI, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms.
Tesla has been a target of protest and vandalism throughout the US and internationally, with most of the protests targeted at Musk’s contentious policies, particularly his DOGE support. The protestors are making it clear that they will continue to protest against Tesla and its head until their voices are heard.
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