Activists are about to take on Elon Musk in the best way – by tanking Tesla shares

On Saturday 29 March, thousands of people will take on far-right billionaire and fascist Elon Musk in a Tesla Takedown Global Day of Action. Across seven UK cities (and counting), protesters will pitch up at Tesla dealerships across the UK, in tandem with activists in Australia, Canada, and Germany.

Elon Musk: Tesla Takedown to hit him where it hurts

As of Monday 24 March, protests are confirmed for: Bristol, Edinburgh, Leeds, London, Manchester, Nottingham, and Winchester.

Tesla Takedown is a grassroots, decentralised movement to stop Elon Musk promoting authoritarians, disinformation and fossil fuels around the globe. The aim is to finish the unelected centibillionaire as a political force by tanking Tesla’s still wildly inflated share price, and thus his liquidity.

The International group has described that activists across the world sprang into action barely six weeks ago in response to fascist Musk’s Nazi salute and ongoing hijacking of the US federal infrastructure:

Elon Musk’s Dr. Strangelove salute on 20 January 2025 highlighted the tech billionaire’s role in supporting nationalists, authoritarians, climate change deniers and fossil fuel junkies around the world. Coupled with the grotesque sight of the world’s richest man cutting funding to AIDS charities and cancer research under the banner of an internet meme (DOGE), it’s inspired a grassroots movement of peaceful, legal protests: Tesla Takedown. Since the first, small demonstration in Manhattan on 4 February 2025, the decentralised movement has grown to cover more than 100 locations—including, now, the UK.

The diversity of the upcoming protests reflects the diversity of protesters, many first-time activists. In Nottingham Ukrainian refugees will protest Musk’s support for Trump and Putin and his manipulation of Starlink during the war.

Meanwhile, Hungarians will share their experiences of life under fascism in Edinburgh. In Winchester, a pair of Hampshire ‘dog dads’ will be supporting their anti-fascist pup Pepsy in her campaign, Whippets Against Elon.

‘Honk if you hate Elon’

The campaign against Musk is a very broad church, spanning workers’ rights, anti-racism, climate activism, disinformation research, and the desire for democracy and freedom from invasion, occupation and war.

Theodora Sutcliffe, an organiser of Tesla Takedown UK, said:

One of the most fascinating things about watching this wave of protests unfold internationally is realising how many countries have an Elon Musk problem.

Tesla Takedown’s planned protests follow a series of peaceful protests in London, Leeds, and Reading on Saturday 22 March.

These ongoing small-scale protests are powerful and effective. They raise awareness, hit the brand, and hinder Tesla’s ability to make sales.

However, most cities are expecting to see higher turnouts than at previous protests and some are organising special events. London will see ordinary people from across the world share their stories of the damage Musk has wrought.

Activists will be selling bumper stickers to Tesla drivers, while a large ‘Honk If You Hate Elon’ sign will continue to draw support from passing vehicles.

John Gorenfeld, who took the first bold step to create what might have been a one-man protest in London roughly a month ago, said:

If you are against this attack on democracy, if you are against these people gambling with lives, this weekend is your moment to stand up against all this nonsense.

Featured image via the Canary