Summary
- Anti-Elon Musk protest outside Tesla store in Manhattan resulted in nine arrests
- Protestors attempted to stop customers from entering the store
- Glass in front of the store was shattered during the protests
- Protests have been happening at Tesla stores around the world due to Musk’s involvement with the U.S. government
- Customer was able to complete his test drive after delays caused by protests
Article
An anti-Elon Musk protest outside a Tesla store in New York over the weekend resulted in up to nine arrests as demonstrators attempted to prevent customers from entering the location. The protests took place at Tesla’s Manhattan store on Saturday, with hundreds of protestors on site. Footage from the scene shows demonstrators blocking customers from entering the store and some even managed to break the glass in front of the store.
The protests were part of a larger movement against Tesla stores worldwide in response to Elon Musk’s recent involvement with U.S. President Donald Trump’s government efficiency department. The protests were also seen at Tesla stores in San Francisco, Washington D.C., Pennsylvania, and Sweden, among others. Demonstrators have been critical of Musk’s actions and have been advocating against his relationship with the Trump administration.
One customer, Angelo Martinez, was documented in a video attempting to enter the store for a test drive of the new Model Y. Martinez was initially prevented from entering by protestors, but with the help of authorities, he eventually gained access to the store and completed his test drive, albeit later than planned. Martinez praised the new Model Y in a post on social media and shared details of his experience with the protestors.
Martinez described the tense situation outside the Tesla store, with protestors blocking the entrance and engaging in disruptive behavior. He shared a screenshot of his appointment for the test drive and explained how he had to navigate through the protestors with the help of the police to access the store through the garage. Martinez criticized the protestors for their actions and labeled them as mentally ill and unhinged, expressing frustration with their behavior.
The protests highlight the ongoing controversy surrounding Elon Musk and his ties to the Trump administration, leading to tensions at Tesla stores worldwide. Despite the disruptions caused by the demonstrators, customers like Martinez were able to go ahead with their planned activities at the store. The incident serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by businesses like Tesla in managing public perception and navigating political controversies. Tesla’s operations continue to be affected by protests and calls for accountability from the public.
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