Protesters gathered outside Tesla dealerships across the United States, targeting CEO Elon Musk and his efforts to disrupt government agencies. The demonstrations were organized on social media platform Bluesky, with groups in cities like Washington DC, Minneapolis, and Pittsburgh showing up despite cold weather. In Berkeley, California, a protest of 200 people took place, with many expressing concern over Musk’s “Doge” initiative, which aims to cut spending and make government more efficient.
Musk has been sending teams into government agencies to review data, prompting President Donald Trump to freeze hiring and lay off thousands of federal employees. However, critics argue that Musk is overstepping his authority and interfering with elected leaders’ decisions. The backlash against Tesla has seen some owners selling their vehicles and stock, including singer Sheryl Crow.
Organizers say the protests are about “making a visible stand” against Musk’s actions, while others see it as an opportunity to push back against what they perceive as a takeover of government by a private individual. As one protester noted, “It’s just really grinding on the mind.” The movement has gained attention from prominent figures, including actress Joan Donovan and actor Alex Winter.
With Tesla shares shedding 30% of their value since Trump’s inauguration, it appears that many are taking action against Musk’s influence over government policies. As Teah Jackson said during a protest in Berkeley, “It’s hopeful…it’s an acknowledgement that people aren’t going to go down without a fight.”
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cvgm21zjggro