Protesters assemble at Tesla storefronts in response to Elon Musk's involvement with DOGEcoin
Here Comes the Tesla Takedown!
Gather around, folks! Hundreds of demonstrators, equipped with Gumbo YaYas and determination, staged protests at Tesla showrooms across the nation this past Saturday. This fierce movement, called "Tesla Takedown," set its sights on billionaire CEO Elon Musk's electric vehicle company, spearheaded by Hollywood titan Alex Winter and Boston University journalism professor Joan Donovan. This boycott, which kicked off on February 15, took issue with Musk's meddling in the Department of Government Efficiency and proposed recent IRS downsizing plans that threaten to slash thousands of jobs and leave a nearly 20% vacancy rate by May 15.
According to the Tesla Takedown website, the movement seeks to spur actions from disgruntled Tesla enthusiasts to "sell your Teslas, dump your stock, join the picket lines." With more than 80 protests scheduled for Saturday and over 70 more planned throughout April, it's evident that this movement has struck a chord with many citizens across the nation.
Now, here's where things get groovy. In the Boston suburb of Dedham, around 100 protesters flexed their freedom of speech muscles outside a Tesla showroom. West Chester saw a similar turnout, while Baltimore welcomed a minimum of 300 demonstrators. And you know what they say about all good protests— the party doesn't stop in Washington, D.C. More than 50 demonstrators gathered outside a Tesla showroom, broke it down to the beats of Beyoncé and Daft Punk, and even got passing drivers to honk in solidarity.
Sara Steffens, a former journalist and enthusiastic policy advocate, partnered up with Melissa Knutson, a self-employed entrepreneur, to turn this demonstration into a full-blown dance party. Knutson aimed to replicate the musical atmosphere she witnessed at a Maryland demonstration. "We need to have joy because this is a long haul, and we need to grow our movement against this authoritarianism," Knutson shared with CNN.
Meanwhile, law enforcement agencies nationwide are investigating a spate of Tesla showroom vandalism incidents. The peaceable nature of the Tesla Takedown movement stands in stark contrast to these acts of destruction. Attorney General Pam Bondi vowed to crack down on these vandalisms, warning potential offenders: "If you're going to touch a Tesla, go to a dealership, do anything, you better watch out because we're coming after you. And if you're funding this, we're coming after you. We're going to find out who you are."
As for President Trump, he and Musk made a grand appearance on the White House lawn last Tuesday, needless to say, creating a media spectacle. Trump praised the "beautiful" Tesla vehicles showcased, expressing hopes that the event would boost the company's sales. Jessica Caldwell, head of insights at automotive site Edmunds, remarked, "It's like the Super Bowl, where it's just mass exposure."
However, the Trump administration's response to the Tesla vandalism has been less than peaceful. With investigations underway, it seems like this charged-up atmosphere is bound to escalate! Stay tuned to see how this thrilling drama unfolds.
- The Tesla Takedown movement, which includes protests, has expanded its actions to encourage Tesla owners to sell their vehicles and dump their stock, aiming to challenge billionaire Elon Musk's business practices and his involvement in the Department of Government Efficiency.
- Despite the Tesla Takeddown movement's peaceful protests across various cities, law enforcement agencies are investigating instances of Tesla showroom vandalism.
- As the Tesla Takedown movement continues to gather momentum, the IRS's proposed downsizing plans, which threaten thousands of jobs, remain a significant concern among protesters, in addition to their issues with Tesla and Elon Musk's business dealings.
