**Nationwide Protests Against Elon Musk and Tesla Intensify**
An expanding movement against Tesla CEO and “Department of Government Efficiency” (DOGE) chief Elon Musk took to the streets this past weekend, moving beyond online platforms. Demonstrators assembled at Tesla showrooms nationwide, displaying signs with slogans such as “End the broligarchy,” “Incinerate a Tesla, rescue democracy,” and “DOGE is a criminal organization.” Their aim was to deter potential Tesla purchasers from endorsing the brand.
### **The #TeslaTakeover Initiative Gains Strength**
Referred to as the #TeslaTakeover, these demonstrations were led by an unwavering group of Bluesky users, bolstered by Seattle-based advocacy group *The Troublemakers* and direct action collective *The Disruption Project*. Numerous protests were coordinated through *Action Network*, which documented 50 scheduled demonstrations across the nation by Saturday. These activities ranged from small communities to large metropolitan areas, including sites in California, New York, Washington D.C., Ohio, and even Canada.
The organizers of the protests called upon Tesla owners and shareholders to take a stand, stating on their event page: “Sell your Teslas, divest your stocks, join the picket lines. Harming Tesla will curb Musk. Stopping Musk will save lives and protect our democracy.”
On February 15, rallies of differing scales unfolded, with some drawing only a few protestors while others welcomed sizable crowds. Regardless of size, all participants conveyed the same sentiment: Elon Musk’s actions constitute a significant threat.
### **Public Opposition to Musk’s Power**
One Bluesky user highlighted the movement’s mission, explaining in a widely circulated post: “This isn’t merely about expressing our frustration with Elon Musk’s unappointed takeover; it’s about informing our friends and neighbors that purchasing, owning, charging, and maintaining a Tesla directly endorses him. Reducing Tesla’s sales and stock value is our most effective means of retaliation. That begins tomorrow!”
The protests signify a larger global backlash against Musk’s growing sway in governmental matters. Earlier this year, protests broke out at the *German Die Welt Economic Summit*, where Musk was expected to make a virtual appearance. The outcry followed his public endorsement of a far-right political party in Germany, raising further alarm regarding his political connections.
### **Legal Actions Against Musk and DOGE**
At the same time, U.S. authorities are pursuing legal measures to contest Musk’s contentious role in government regulation. On February 13, attorneys general from 14 states launched a lawsuit targeting Musk, claiming that DOGE’s actions were unconstitutional. The case aims to prevent Musk from issuing commands to agencies beyond the executive branch or controlling federal resources.
Moreover, cybersecurity groups, including the *Electronic Privacy Information Center* (EPIC), have initiated an additional lawsuit against DOGE. They allege that Musk’s agency unlawfully compelled the *Office of Personnel Management* and the *Treasury Department* to surrender Americans’ confidential digital data to unauthorized individuals. The lawsuit characterizes this as the “largest data breach in U.S. history.”
As protests and legal confrontations escalate, opposition to Musk’s dominance continues to rise, with activists resolute in their efforts to hold him accountable.