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2 anti-Musk protesters hit by truck during demonstration at Watertown Tesla dealership
The protest was part of a “global day of action” against Tesla CEO Elon Musk under a campaign known as #TeslaTakedown.
Two people were injured Saturday when they were hit by a vehicle during a protest at a Tesla dealership in Watertown, police said.
The side mirror of a black pickup truck struck two people at the protest, which took place on Pleasant Street, according to a Watertown police statement. Officers who were already present identified the suspect and assisted the injured people, who refused medical treatment at the scene.
No serious injuries were reported, and the incident is under active investigation, police said. Police did not say whether the incident was accidental or intentional.
Frank Gerry, who said he was hit by the truck as it was turning a corner, told CBS he believed the driver hit his arm on purpose.
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“He was planning the whole time,” Gerry said. “It was intentional, and a deadly weapon is a car.”
The protest was part of a “global day of action” against Tesla CEO Elon Musk. Under a campaign known as #TeslaTakedown, the rallies urge people to boycott Tesla by selling their vehicles and stock in the company.
“Elon Musk is destroying our democracy, and he’s using the fortune he built at Tesla to do it,” the campaign website reads. “We are taking action at Tesla to stop Musk’s illegal coup.”
While Tesla Takedown is described on the website as a “peaceful protest movement” that opposes “violence, vandalism and destruction of property,” several unconnected incidents have resulted in vandalism.
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Earlier this month, three Teslas were damaged at a Dedham dealership, where a separate report of vandalism had already been recently filed. In another instance, seven Tesla charging stations were intentionally set on fire March 3 at The Point Shopping Center in Littleton.
Additionally, a Roslindale man who was arrested March 5 for tagging Teslas with Elon Musk stickers was later charged with six counts of defacing property.
The continuous wave of anti-DOGE protests at Tesla stores is part of the backlash against Musk’s political endeavors under the Trump administration.
Anyone with additional information about Saturday’s incident is asked to contact Watertown police at 617-972-6500.
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