Musk, the Anti Tesla protest returns to New York: hundreds of Manhattan’s showrooms in front of the showroom
March 23, 2025 – New York, NY – The streets of Manhattan’s Meatpacking District were once again filled with the sounds of chants and the sight of waving signs as hundreds of protesters gathered outside Tesla’s flagship showroom on Saturday, marking the latest in a series of demonstrations targeting the electric vehicle giant and its CEO, Elon Musk. The protest, which took place on March 22, 2025, is part of a growing wave of anti-Musk sentiment that has swept across the United States in recent weeks, fueled by his controversial role in the Trump administration’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
The demonstration saw an estimated 200 to 300 New Yorkers swarm the showroom at Washington and W. 13th Streets, echoing earlier protests this month that led to arrests and heightened tensions. Organized by a coalition of activist groups, including Rise and Resist and Planet Over Profit, the event aimed to draw attention to what protesters describe as Musk’s “unelected influence” over federal policy and his aggressive cost-cutting measures that have resulted in thousands of government job losses. Signs reading “Nobody Voted for Elon Musk,” “Boycott Tesla,” and “Oligarchs Out, Democracy In” dotted the crowd, while chants of “Elon Musk is not elected!” rang out through the chilly spring air.
Hundreds Gather in Front of Manhattan Showroom
This latest protest follows a series of increasingly bold actions against Tesla facilities nationwide. Earlier this month, on March 8, a similar demonstration at the same Manhattan location saw six arrests after protesters occupied the showroom, shattering a glass door in the process. Saturday’s event remained largely peaceful, though NYPD officers were on high alert, stationed around the perimeter of the showroom to prevent a repeat of the earlier escalation. No arrests were reported by early Sunday morning, though tensions flared briefly as some demonstrators attempted to block the entrance, urging passersby to join their cause.
The protesters’ grievances center on Musk’s role as a key figure in President Donald Trump’s administration, where he has spearheaded DOGE’s mission to slash federal spending and dismantle government agencies. Critics argue that Musk, who was not elected to any public office, wields disproportionate power, accusing him of undermining democracy and prioritizing corporate interests over public welfare. “This isn’t about electric cars—it’s about an unelected billionaire buying his way into controlling our government,” said Jaime Bauer, a longtime member of Rise and Resist, who spoke to the crowd through a megaphone. “We’re here to say enough is enough.”
The demonstration also drew support from a contingent of Women’s March participants, who joined after rallying in Washington Square Park for International Women’s Day earlier this month. Their presence added chants like “We need clean air, not another billionaire!” to the mix, reflecting a broader coalition of environmental and social justice advocates united against Musk’s influence.
Tesla has faced mounting backlash not only in New York but across the country, with reports of vandalism targeting showrooms and charging stations in states like Oregon, Massachusetts, and Colorado. The “Tesla Takedown” movement, as it has been dubbed, seeks to hit Musk where it hurts—his company’s bottom line—by encouraging boycotts and divestment from Tesla stock. While the company has not issued an official statement on the latest protest, Musk took to X earlier this month to dismiss such demonstrations as “fake rallies,” suggesting they are orchestrated by political opponents.
For local residents and Tesla customers, the recurring protests have become a disruptive fixture. “I just wanted to check out a Model Y, but it’s impossible to get near the place,” said Angelo Martinez, a Tesla owner who encountered a similar scene during a scheduled test drive on March 8. “I get why people are upset, but this is starting to feel personal.”
As of Sunday morning, March 23, the atmosphere outside the Manhattan showroom had quieted, but organizers vowed that this would not be the last demonstration. With Musk’s influence in Washington showing no signs of waning, the anti-Tesla protests appear poised to continue, casting a shadow over the company’s once-unassailable reputation in progressive hubs like New York City. Whether these actions will translate into tangible economic or political pressure remains to be seen, but for now, the streets of Manhattan remain a battleground in the fight against what protesters call a “billionaire regime.”
