Protests Continue at Tesla Showrooms Amid "TeslaTakeover" Hashtag
Protests Spread Across the Country
Today marked a second weekend of scattered protests at Tesla showrooms, following a "TeslaTakeover" hashtag that has been trending on Twitter alternative Bluesky this week. Protestors’ messages largely focused on the divisive efforts of Tesla CEO Elon Musk as the head of the Department of Government Efficiency since the start of Donald Trump’s Presidency.
Protests in Various Cities
The protests don’t appear to be especially large, but they are numerous, ranging from places like New York to lesser-known locales like Minneapolis, Minnesota suburb Golden Valley. A section of Action Network’s site for organizing protests shows rallies planned for cities in Ohio, Florida, Washington, New Mexico, and Alberta, Canada.
Tesla Investors Express Concerns
Tesla investors have expressed concern that Musk’s activities are negatively impacting the company, which saw its stock price plummet by 21 percent since Trump’s inauguration according to an ABC story this week. Inside the company, employees and senior staff said in a recent meeting that "the company would be better off if Musk resigned," The Washington Post reported.
Largest Rallies
One of the larger rallies today was outside of Tesla’s Manhattan showroom, where a previous protest took place on February 9th. In the videos below, people can be heard chanting, "Don’t buy swasticars" and "Elon Musk can go to Mars; we don’t need your Nazi cars," perhaps referencing Musk’s support for far-right groups like Germany’s AfD party or his suspicious salute on Inauguration Day.
Other Protests
Other posts showed what protests looked like today in Berkeley, California:
- San Francisco, California:
- Kansas City, Missouri:
- Similar gatherings occurred in Austin, Texas; Seattle, Washington; and Boston, Massachusetts. Meanwhile, few appear to have shown up today in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania:
- Or Baltimore, Maryland, where a single person held a sign outside a Tesla showroom:
Celebrities Join the Protests
Actor, director, and progressive activist Alex Winter, who heavily promoted this weekend’s protests over the last few days, posted an image of himself holding a sign urging people to sell their Teslas at a protest in Pasadena, California:
Conclusion
The protests, which are expected to continue, aim to express dissatisfaction with Musk’s leadership and its perceived impact on the company and society. While the movement is not expected to bring about immediate changes, it may lead to a re-evaluation of Musk’s role at the helm of Tesla and the Department of Government Efficiency.
FAQs
Q: What is the "TeslaTakeover" hashtag?
A: The hashtag refers to a movement of protests and demonstrations at Tesla showrooms, aimed at expressing dissatisfaction with Tesla CEO Elon Musk’s leadership and perceived impact on the company and society.
Q: Why are people protesting against Elon Musk?
A: The protests are largely focused on Musk’s divisive actions, including his support for far-right groups and his role as head of the Department of Government Efficiency since the start of Donald Trump’s Presidency.
Q: How many people attended the protests?
A: The number of attendees varies by location, but the protests do not appear to be especially large, with some cities seeing only a few dozen participants.
Q: What is the impact of the protests on Tesla’s stock price?
A: Tesla’s stock price has plummeted by 21 percent since Trump’s inauguration, according to an ABC story this week, and some investors have expressed concern that Musk’s activities are negatively impacting the company.
