Protesters gathered outside Tesla Inc. showrooms across Canada this weekend as part of the ‘Tesla Takedown‘ movement, expressing their opposition to Elon Musk’s involvement with the U.S. Department of Government Efficiency, known as DOGE. Demonstrations took place from Vancouver to Halifax, with participants enduring cold spring temperatures to voice their concerns, according to reports from local media outlets.
The protests are part of a broader international campaign aimed at impacting Musk’s wealth, a significant portion of which is tied to Tesla stock. Musk’s role in DOGE has sparked controversy and criticism among some Canadians, as noted by various protest organizers.
In Montreal, protester Marie Leblanc was quoted by the Montreal Gazette as saying, ‘We’re here to stand up for what’s right. Musk’s actions with DOGE are unacceptable.’ Similar sentiments were expressed in Toronto, where demonstrators chanted slogans and displayed signs criticizing Musk and Tesla, as reported by the Toronto Star.
While the Canadian protests remained peaceful, there have been reports of vandalism associated with the movement in other parts of the world, according to international news sources. Canadian protesters emphasized their commitment to non-violence, utilizing creative methods such as bumper stickers and social media campaigns to express their views, as stated by Vancouver protester James Chen in an interview with the Vancouver Sun.
Despite the protests, Musk remains optimistic about Tesla’s future. In a recent address to employees, he predicted that the company’s Model Y would continue to be the best-selling car globally and that Tesla would sell over 10 million vehicles worldwide by next year, as reported by Reuters.
The impact of these protests on Tesla’s sales in Canada remains uncertain. However, the demonstrations highlight a growing sentiment among some Canadians regarding Musk’s involvement with DOGE and its potential implications for the electric vehicle manufacturer.
As the ‘Tesla Takedown’ movement continues to gain momentum, it underscores the willingness of Canadians to engage in public discourse on issues they deem important, even in the face of challenging weather conditions.