Hundreds of protests are expected to be held in Tesla showrooms around the world on Saturday, including multiple demonstrations organized throughout Canada.
Known as Tesla’s Global Action Day, it’s the latest demonstration by those who oppose the role of Tesla CEO Elon Musk in the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump.
Demonstrators say they want people to sell their Teslas and discard any stock in the company.
“I’m actually an electric car owner, so I support electric cars, but when Elon Musk’s wealth was used as a way to play a role in the whole country, I think we have an obligation to come out here to protest the existence of this company,” protester Jason Hanson said at a Sascaton event.
“I don’t like bullies…and I don’t like wealth,” he said. “We can’t protest Donald Trump right now because he doesn’t have a Trump tower in Saskatoon. So this is the next recent thing.”
Musk is in charge of the head of the U.S. government’s Department of Efficiency and is linked to controversy, including layoffs of thousands of federal workers in the United States and public support for far-right alternatives to German parties. At the rally marking Trump’s inauguration, he was also condemned for what critics say is similar to the Nazi tribute.
In Canada, Musk has been criticized for supporting Trump’s plan to make Canada the 51st state in the United States and called him the country’s “governor” in a social media exchange in January.
Despite the cold weather, protesters gathered Saturday at a Tesla dealership in Ottawa, including Nancy Wasserman.
“I think it shows that Canadians are really shocked by what happened to their neighbors in the south,” Wasserman said.
“Of course, my hope is that the United States will return to its roots in Democratic Party and decades of friendship between the United States and Canada will be back. But I think the past two months have shown that a lot can happen in a very, very short time.”
At a dealership in Vancouver, drivers honked at protesters there, as they gathered and raised signs of condemning Musk, accusing him of promoting a vibe of hatred and authoritarianism.
“My late mother and my 94-year-old father fought for people’s rights and freedoms, and they fought for their entire lives for incremental values.”
“So I’m here to get them up and defend their beliefs and what I believe, and protect the vulnerable.”
Canada’s strong opposition to Musk and Tesla has been rapid.
An online petition was launched in February to demand that Trudeau deprive Musk of Canadian citizenship, accusing the CEO of engaging in activities that “violate the national interests of Canada.” It received over 375,000 signatures.
Tesla’s dealerships were also under vandalism attacks in Canada, spraying paint on the exterior of a Montreal location, and many people in Hamilton scratched 80 cars.
Earlier this month, organizers of the Vancouver International Auto Show banned Tesla due to concerns about the safety of workers, attendees and exhibitors.
