Arlington, VA—Word was passed among the Tesla boycotters earlier this week not to tread on the Arlington Tesla’s dirt surface because the company was laying new mulch. So on week 14 of the boycott actions the line stayed off the new mulch out of respect for the business operation. As they have done for the last 3 1/2 months, boycotters brought their hand-painted signs, many of which were new as last week’s action was soaked by a storm.
Those who think the Tesla Takedowns are just about taking down Tesla stock values and separating Elon Musk from his capital have missed the point of Tesla Takedowns. The actions themselves have become more important with each passing week because the Trump regime’s insatiable lust for power has expanded and cannot be constrained. The recent disappearance of migrants and American citizens without due process afforded under the law during a court hearing demonstrates that.
The Tesla Takedown actions are grassroots organized with horizontal support volunteers and no hierarchy or funding. There is a short list of standards they have agreed to follow. One is that they don’t verbally challenge or verbally attack Tesla customers, they don’t block the driveway, and they are respectful of drivers who oppose them, although there are very few. Most drivers passing by honk in support of the boycott or give a thumbs up, or stop to talk when the traffic light is red. Participants hand out buttons and ask them to join. Some have even joined the action. Another standard is that they encourage each other through joy and lightheartedness despite the bad news reports because fascism and authoritarianism thrive on fear, dread, and silence, so demonstrating its opposites, courage, joy, and vocal opposition, are themselves forms of resistance. They are also revolutionary acts because they are contagious and they work. Many who return say they look forward to the next time they can come.
This has created a family friendly event and an atmosphere where a variety of diverse groups are welcomed to the boycott. Many have brought their spouses, grandchildren, dogs, while spending a few weekend hours to do “community service” which they have come to describe as fighting a fascist regime.
The Tesla Takedowns are fun though there’s a lot at stake, much more than there was when the Tesla Takedowns first began. The participants discuss amongst themselves the current crisis and how democratic governments like this one are in reality quite vulnerable to the rise of an authoritarian, given the right circumstances. One sign someone is holding quotes a passage from ‘Diary of Anne Frank’ warning about people being disappeared or “kidnapped” in the night, as the sign’s holder describes. It is now the same reality here in the U.S.. Another sign warns of the dangers that befell Germany when the Third Reich came to power, when many waited for others to act. It too is now the same reality here in the U.S.. But Tesla Takedown boycott line aims to intervene in some way even if it is not through direct action.
One participant came for the first time on Sunday. He said he didn’t know what else he could do but he wanted to do something. It was his first time at a street action.
The Tesla Takedown boycott lines are mostly targeting one man, the worlds richest man, who has with his special government employee Doge team, dismantled the operations of the U.S. Federal agencies and in many cases, illegally removed or dismissed without authorization, 10s of thousands of its workers. Through Doge, Musk has also created chaos in the Federal government and in the U.S. Judicial system. But the boycotters are also and indirectly targeting the Trump regime, because Musk has enabled its power grab as it has sought to control the three branches of government by bullying its way to power.
Over 80 cases are weaving their way through U.S. Federal District Courts, with Appeal Courts, and the Supreme Court also issuing rulings. Musk and his Doge team has triggered these cases and appeals and temporary restraining orders; orders which the Trump Regime, vis-a-vis the Department of Justice, has stalled the implementation of by delaying, failing to comply with, or by ignoring the orders altogether.
All this has cumulatively caused incalculable damage to the democratic system of government. American citizens depending on normal governance, operating processes, and services of government, have been affected in many ways. At stake are the safety, benefits, rights, and even the liberty itself of every American citizen. The full effects of the loss of these has not yet come into full focus.
Tesla Takedowns are targeting Elon Musk because he has bragged about deconstructing the Federal government and destroying its operations and the economic livelihoods of tens of thousands of Federal workers. Musk has in effect enabled Trump by doing with Doge what Trump himself and his cabinet could not do alone.
Trump hired Musk to destroy democratic institutions and the bedrock of government infrastructure after Musk donated millions to his election campaign. Americans did not vote for Musk to take down the Federal government or enable Trump to gain so much authority over it to take away freedom and liberty as well.
Recently Musk appeared on a talk show to complain about the unfairness of those opposing him outside his Tesla showrooms. He complained about vandalism to several of his showrooms and cars in the U.S. and in Europe, without acknowledging the true destruction to the country he and Doge have caused.
Tesla Takedown boycott line participants discuss these issues and understand what is at stake. They discuss the issues and share information about other events coming up and encourage others to join.. They encourage each other to keep showing up despite the spate of reports that services and liberty are quickly being whittled away, They act like a swarm of Canada geese encouraging each other to continue. This is why they keep returning to Tesla showrooms. And even though Musk has recently disappeared into the shadows, unable to face the immense backlash against him, they keep returning, three days a week.
They say they aren’t leaving but it is likely they won’t be out there for good.
When they say they aren’t leaving they don’t mean they are remaining there at Tesla Takedowns permanently. They mean their energy, spirit, and effort will be to challenge Elon Musk wherever and wherever he shows up. They aren’t going anywhere.
