A wave of global protests against Tesla and its CEO Elon Musk is set to take place on Saturday, with demonstrations planned at over 200 Tesla showrooms worldwide.
Dubbed the “Tesla Takedown’s Global Day of Action,” this event marks the largest coordinated effort by the grassroots movement since it began in the aftermath of Donald Trump’s second inauguration, reported The Guardian.
The protests are expected to span the United States and various international locations, including Australia, Finland, and Germany. In the US alone, nearly 50 demonstrations are scheduled across California.
The movement, spearheaded by Tesla Takedown, aims to challenge Musk’s perceived influence over public policy and his role in what they describe as the dismantling of essential public services. Protesters accuse Musk of laying off federal workers, cutting crucial department budgets, and undermining democratic processes through his work as head of the so-called “department of government efficiency” (Doge).
“People didn’t vote for Elon,” said Vickie Mueller Olvera, a key organiser of the protests in the Bay Area. “He’s an unelected billionaire wielding immense power. We’re here to push back.”
The Tesla Takedown movement describes itself as a decentralised network of grassroots activists committed to challenging Musk’s growing influence. The group encourages supporters to boycott Tesla products, sell Tesla stock, and participate in peaceful protests.
Tesla’s financial performance has reportedly suffered amid the mounting protests. Since Trump’s inauguration, Tesla’s stock value has declined by over 35%, with resale values for used Teslas also hitting record lows. Musk’s net worth has decreased by approximately 25%, or $100 billion, over the same period.
Despite the backlash, Musk has defended his role in improving government efficiency, stating on X, the social media platform he owns, that his work is aligned with making government operations more effective.
The protests began gaining traction in mid-February, with small gatherings outside Tesla showrooms gradually growing in size. Demonstrators have displayed signs likening Musk to a fascist, with slogans such as “Diabolical Oligarchs Gaslighting Everyone” and “No Swastikars.”
The movement’s reach has extended far beyond the US, with Tesla Takedown’s Bluesky account gaining nearly 25,000 followers in just a few weeks. Actor and activist Alex Winter, a prominent supporter of the cause, has amassed nearly 200,000 followers through his daily posts promoting the protests.
However, the movement has faced challenges in distancing itself from violent acts of vandalism targeting Tesla showrooms. Numerous facilities have been attacked with molotov cocktails, gunfire, and graffiti, prompting the FBI to launch a task force to investigate what it has labeled as “domestic terrorism.”
On Wednesday, a suspect was arrested in connection with a high-profile arson attack on a Tesla showroom in Las Vegas. The individual now faces 15 charges.
Tesla Takedown organisers have condemned all forms of violence and destruction, emphasising their commitment to peaceful protest. “We are a non-violent grassroots movement,” the group stated. “Peaceful protest on public property is not domestic terrorism.”
As the protests continue to gain momentum, Tesla Takedown anticipates its largest turnout yet on Saturday, with over 200 demonstrations planned from Maine to Hawaii and beyond.