Photo: FREDERIC J. BROWN / AFP / Getty Images
More than 200 protests against Tesla are planned for this weekend, following a series of violent incidents linked to the electric car company. The protests are part of a campaign called "Tesla Takedown," which aims to challenge CEO Elon Musk's political connections and impact the company's sales and stock price. Organizers hope to stage a global day of action with demonstrations at Tesla locations across the United States and beyond.
The protests come after several violent incidents involving Tesla facilities and supporters. Anti-Musk activists have been accused of throwing Molotov cocktails and defacing Tesla vehicles in states like Colorado, Nevada, and Oregon. Authorities also found incendiary devices at a Tesla location in Texas.
Pro-Musk supporters have also been involved in confrontations. In West Palm Beach, Florida, a man was charged with assault after driving toward protesters, narrowly missing them. Another incident in Berkeley, California, saw a man detained for waving a stun gun at protesters.
Organizers of the protests emphasize their commitment to nonviolence, aiming to keep demonstrations peaceful and civil. However, they are concerned about potential confrontations with pro-Musk counterprotesters, who are also planning events to support the Tesla CEO. Terry Beck, a pro-Trump organizer in New Jersey, is arranging a caravan of vehicles to counteract the protests in Lawrenceville.
Despite the tensions, law enforcement officials have found no evidence of coordinated attacks against Tesla. The Justice Department has charged three individuals, and the FBI has launched a task force to investigate the incidents. As the weekend approaches, both sides are preparing for what could be a significant day of demonstrations across the country.