A Tesla store in Manhattan became the center of chaos this weekend as hundreds of anti-Elon Musk protesters swarmed the location, blocking customers from entering and leading to at least nine arrests.
The demonstration, part of a growing wave of anti-Tesla protests worldwide, escalated when some protesters smashed the store’s glass and physically prevented customers from test-driving vehicles.
One such customer, Angelo Martinez, arrived for his scheduled Model Y test drive at 1:00 p.m., only to find himself barred from entering by the demonstrators.
🚨🇺🇸 BREAKING: TESLA DEALERSHIP OCCUPIED IN MANHATTAN
One agreeable participant even asked why anyone thinks they have a right to stop him from forcefully entering the building, with some reference to the ‘United States of America.’
Source: https://t.co/VH9KOxReAM pic.twitter.com/5nY4fw2B6i
— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) March 1, 2025
Tesla Store Stormed—What Happened?
The protests were triggered by Musk’s recent role in President Trump’s government efficiency department, a controversial agency accused of slashing federal jobs.
Demonstrations have erupted at Tesla stores across the globe, including locations in San Francisco, Washington D.C., Pennsylvania, and Sweden.
However, the New York protest quickly spiraled out of control.
- Protesters blocked the entrance, physically preventing customers like Martinez from entering.
- Video footage shows shattered glass, indicating some demonstrators tried to break into the store.
- NYPD officers were forced to intervene, leading to at least nine arrests.
Blocked, Frustrated, and Determined: Martinez’s Story
Martinez, a Tesla owner himself, documented the chaos on social media.
“I had an appointment at 1 PM but didn’t get to go into the Tesla dealership until around 2:15 PM,” he wrote.
According to his first-hand account:
- He was met with chants, yelling, and protesters lying on the ground to block the entrance.
- Glass had been shattered, and the scene was tense and chaotic.
- NYPD officers instructed him to wait as they tried to control the crowd.
- Eventually, Tesla allowed him in through a back entrance via the garage.
Despite the hour-long delay, Martinez finally completed his test drive, later posting:
“The new Model Y is going to blow people’s minds.”
Martinez also shared proof of his Tesla test-drive reservation, silencing skeptics who questioned whether he had a real appointment.
Tesla Protests Growing: What’s Next?
This isn’t the first Tesla protest, and it won’t be the last.
With tensions rising over Musk’s political ties and Tesla’s role in global automation, demonstrations are now spreading worldwide.
The Manhattan store protest is just one of several that have turned confrontational, raising concerns about safety for Tesla employees and customers.
A New Front in the Tesla Controversy?
Whether it’s government policies, Musk’s influence, or automation fears, Tesla is becoming a flashpoint for political and social unrest.
As more protests emerge, one thing is clear:
The battle over Tesla’s future isn’t just happening in boardrooms—it’s spilling onto the streets.