Adrian
In a bold act of protest, climate activists spray-painted a Tesla dealership in Manhattan’s Meatpacking District on Tuesday, coinciding with Earth Day. The incident, which targeted the showroom located between Washington Street and W 13th Street, saw two individuals defacing the property with anti-Elon Musk and anti-Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) messages. The protesters were later arrested by police.
Video footage captured two unmasked men scrawling phrases such as “F—k DOGE” and “We do not consent” on the store’s windows using fluorescent red and green spray paint. Additionally, several DOGE signs were marked with red lines, resembling a “no” or prohibited symbol. Witnesses reported that the showroom was occupied by customers at the time of the incident.
The group responsible for the vandalism appears to be affiliated with Extinction Rebellion, a climate activist organization known for its disruptive protests and acts of civil disobedience. The group claims to oppose political inaction on what it perceives as man-made climate change.
Upon arrival, police arrested the two individuals. One of the protesters, wearing a pink t-shirt emblazoned with the slogan “Climate Change = Mass Murder,” defended his actions by stating, “Because people do not consent to unelected fascists, and this is Earth Day.”
Extinction Rebellion’s New York City chapter later took credit for the vandalism on social media platform X, alongside claiming responsibility for spray-painting Wall Street’s iconic Raging Bull statue earlier that day.
This incident is part of a growing trend of attacks on Tesla properties across the U.S. In 2023 alone, dozens of incidents targeting Tesla vehicles, dealerships, and charging stations have been reported. These range from minor acts of vandalism, such as keying and graffiti, to more severe cases like arson and drive-by shootings.
U.S. Attorney General Pamela Bondi has classified such incidents as domestic terrorism, with the Department of Justice actively pursuing legal action. Notable cases include a March 18 attack in Las Vegas, where 36-year-old Paul Hyon Kim allegedly used a Molotov cocktail to set fire to multiple Teslas at a dealership. Similar incidents have occurred in Seattle and Kansas City, where Tesla Cybertrucks were set ablaze.
Karoline Leavitt, a prominent commentator, condemned the attacks on Tesla as “dangerous” acts of domestic terrorism, urging accountability for such actions.
As investigations continue, the incident underscores the escalating tensions between climate activists and corporations like Tesla, amid broader debates over environmental policy and corporate responsibility.
**Links to sources:**
[Video of vandalism](#)
[Extinction Rebellion’s post on X](#)
[Details on DOGE investigations](#)
[US Attorney General’s statement](#)
