An anti-Elon Musk protest outside a Tesla store in New York over the weekend led to as many as nine arrests, with demonstrators attempting to prevent customers from entering the location. The protests at Tesla’s Manhattan store on Saturday drew hundreds of protestors, resulting in chaos and disruption.
According to a report from Reuters, police arrested nine of the demonstrators at the scene. Footage from the protest shows crowds of protestors outside the Tesla store, with some attempting to stop customers from entering. One customer, Angelo Martinez, was captured on video being barred from entering the store as he tried to make it to a test drive of the new Model Y, which he had scheduled for 1:00 p.m. on Saturday.
The video also shows some protestors making their way inside the store and causing damage to the glass front of the building. The protests come in the wake of broader demonstrations at Tesla stores worldwide, triggered by Elon Musk’s involvement with the U.S. government’s efficiency department under President Donald Trump. The administration’s actions, including workforce reductions at federal agencies, have sparked outrage and protests against Musk and Tesla.
In addition to the New York protest, demonstrations were reported at Tesla stores in San Francisco, Washington D.C., Pennsylvania, Sweden, and other locations. The protests have raised concerns about the impact of Musk’s political affiliations on the public perception of Tesla and its products.
Despite the disruptions caused by the protests, Martinez eventually managed to enter the Tesla store with the help of authorities and complete his test drive of the new Model Y. He praised the vehicle in a post on social media, emphasizing its impressive features and performance.
Martinez also shared a detailed account of his experience at the protest, highlighting the tense atmosphere and confrontations with the demonstrators. He expressed frustration with the protestors’ actions and described their behavior as disruptive and irrational.
The incident underscores the challenges faced by Tesla and Elon Musk in navigating political controversies and public scrutiny. As the protests continue to escalate, the company will need to address the concerns of both supporters and critics while maintaining its focus on innovation and sustainability.