Protesters Denounce Musk at Tesla Dealerships Across US, Europe, and Canada

New York, 30 March 2025 (BSS/AFP) – Demonstrators gathered at Tesla dealerships across the United States, Europe, and Canada on Saturday to protest against the company’s chief executive, Elon Musk, who has gained significant influence as a top adviser to US President Donald Trump.

Waving banners with slogans such as “Musk is stealing our money” and “Reclaim our country,” the protests largely remained peaceful, despite recent acts of vandalism against Tesla vehicles, which US officials have strongly condemned as “terrorism.”

Growing Discontent Across Multiple Cities

Hundreds of protesters assembled outside Tesla’s Manhattan dealership in New York. Many denounced Musk, the world’s wealthiest individual, while others demanded the closure of his controversial Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which has been executing deep cuts across federal agencies.

Among them was Amy Neifeld, a 70-year-old psychologist who had not participated in a demonstration since her opposition to the Vietnam War in the 1970s. She accused Musk of steering the country towards fascism.

“I’m Jewish, so I grew up with a great awareness of fascism,” Neifeld told AFP. “And it has just become uglier and uglier” since Trump’s return to the White House.

Eva Mueller, another New York protester, echoed similar concerns. “He acts like he’s the vice president,” she remarked. “He’s actively dismantling our government and democracy.”

A Global Movement Against Musk

The protest, organised by the environmental activist group Planet Over Profit, argues that “stopping Musk will help save lives and protect our democracy.” The movement was not limited to New York—demonstrations erupted across various US states, including Florida, Massachusetts, and California, as well as European cities such as London, Berlin, and Paris.

In Washington D.C.’s affluent Georgetown district, approximately 150 people gathered in a celebratory atmosphere, dancing and cheering as passing motorists honked in support.

Meanwhile, in Vancouver, Canada, around 100 people demonstrated outside a Tesla dealership. One individual, dressed in a dinosaur costume, held a placard reading, “You thought the Nazis were extinct? Don’t buy a Swasticar.”

In Paris, a small group of Americans stood outside a Tesla dealership, with one sign demanding, “Send Musk to Mars now.” Protester Raf, 59, who preferred not to disclose his last name, said, “Musk and Trump are destroying our democracy, disregarding the fundamental laws of our country, and dismissing officials in crucial agencies.”

Rising Concerns Over Political Influence and Corporate Control

Musk’s role in government affairs has raised alarm, particularly with the establishment of DOGE, which has been instrumental in reducing the size of federal institutions. Critics argue that his growing influence has blurred the lines between corporate leadership and political power.

Over the past weeks, acts of vandalism targeting Tesla vehicles, dealerships, and infrastructure have escalated in response to Musk’s sweeping job cuts and his increasingly prominent role in politics. US Attorney General Pam Bondi has strongly condemned these attacks, classifying them as “domestic terrorism.”

Tesla has yet to issue an official response to the protests.