In a bold act of protest tied to Earth Day, climate activists targeted a Tesla car dealership in Manhattan on Tuesday, spray-painting vulgar messages condemning ELON MUSK and his collaboration with the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). The incident, captured on video, shows two maskless men scrawling phrases like “F—k DOGE” and “We do not consent” on the store’s windows using fluorescent red and green spray paint. Police arrived shortly after, arresting the individuals as they attempted to clean off some of the graffiti.
The Manhattan showroom, located in the Meat Packing District between Washington Street and W 13th Street, is the latest Tesla location to be targeted by anti-Musk and anti-DOGE activists. Several windows were also marked with DOGE signs crossed out with red lines, resembling a prohibition symbol. At the time of the incident, people inside the showroom witnessed the vandalism unfold.
The activists appeared to belong to EXTINCTION REBELLION, a climate activist group known for its disruptive tactics and use of non-violent civil disobedience to protest political inaction on climate change. On social media platform X, the group’s New York City chapter claimed responsibility for the act, stating it was part of a broader effort to challenge environmental policies. Notably, EXTINCTION REBELLION also took credit for spray-painting Wall Street’s iconic Raging Bull statue earlier that day.
The arrested individuals included a younger man wearing a pink t-shirt with the words “Climate Change = Mass Murder” on the back. When questioned by police, he responded, “Because people do not consent to unelected fascists, and this is Earth Day.”
This incident is part of a growing trend of attacks on Tesla vehicles, dealerships, and charging stations across the U.S. in 2024. Reports range from minor vandalism, such as keying and graffiti, to more severe cases like arson and drive-by shootings. For example, on March 18, 36-year-old PAUL HYON KIM allegedly used a Molotov cocktail to torch several Teslas at a Las Vegas dealership. Similar incidents occurred in Seattle and Kansas City, where Tesla Cybertrucks were set on fire.
KAROLINE LEAVITT, a prominent political figure, condemned the attacks, labeling them as “domestic terrorism.” Attorney General PAMELA BONDI has echoed this sentiment, stating that the Department of Justice is treating such incidents as acts of domestic terrorism.
As the debate over climate activism and corporate responsibility intensifies, this latest incident underscores the growing tension between environmental advocates and industries perceived as contributing to climate change.
**Sources:**
[Video of Incident](insert link here)
[Extinction Rebellion’s Social Media Post](insert link here)
[Department of Justice Statement](insert link here)
[Las Vegas Tesla Arson Case](insert link here)