Protests Outside Tesla Showroom Gain Momentum in West Michigan
In West Michigan, protests against Tesla CEO Elon Musk are gradually picking up pace, as evidenced by the gathering of about three dozen individuals outside a Tesla showroom in Kentwood for the second consecutive week. Held on Monday afternoon, the protest marked a continued effort to voice dissent against Musk’s recent actions.
Elizabeth Jenkins, who unintentionally spearheaded the Kentwood protest, was inspired by similar demonstrations occurring across the nation at various Tesla dealerships. “Last week I told my mom, ‘I accidentally signed up to make a protest, do you want to come with me?’ And I thought it was just her and me,” Jenkins shared. However, the turnout exceeded her expectations, leading her to organize another event this week, with more planned for the future.
Despite modest numbers, Jenkins’ mother, Eileen, emphasized the significance of standing up against Musk. “I don’t think that it will affect Elon Musk very much,” she admitted. “I think he looks at us as minor. But I do think that money is the only thing he understands, and this is the only way we can — I don’t know — make a money statement.”
Protests have become a common sight at Tesla showrooms nationwide, including in Ann Arbor, as people express their disapproval of the drastic budget cuts introduced by a new government agency called DOGE, overseen by Musk. These cuts have reportedly been implemented without congressional oversight, a key concern for demonstrators.
The Kentwood protests began later than others across the country and have attracted fewer participants. However, Monday’s gathering drew individuals who had not previously engaged in protest activities.
Among the attendees was Tom Northway, a former Republican who last participated in a protest during the Vietnam War era. His motivation stemmed from growing concerns about both Trump and Musk. Influenced by a Nobel Prize-winning journalist’s resilience against governmental pressure, Northway decided to join the protest after monitoring its growth on social media.
Northway stood with his dog Jagger, holding a sign that read, “Elon Musk is a Nazi,” a sentiment he defended by referencing an incident where Musk allegedly made a gesture resembling a Nazi salute, as reported by The New York Times. “I have no problems carrying this and thinking I’m correct,” he asserted. “If somebody doesn’t stand up and say this is wrong, if everybody sits back on their couches, then nothing gets done.”
The Kentwood police officer stationed outside the showroom mentioned that the staff chose not to comment on the unfolding events.
For more insights into the ongoing national protests, visit recent reports about Tesla drivers’ dilemmas here or the call for a national boycott here.
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