
I joined in with the #TeslaTakedown (that hashtag’s not linked, but you can stick it into most any search engine or social app and get a variety of info and sources) protest yesterday in downtown Portland. If you’ve never been to a protest rally or march before, it can be fun and exhilarating to be among a group expressing convictions or advocacy in public (cf. sports events, political rallies, etc.), and this one most certainly was. Just about everybody was having a good time engaging in a little civic action together. We waved, hooted, pumped fists, and occasionally jumped up and down when especially enthusiastic honkers drove by.
Tesla Takedown is a growing, distributed movement attempting to diminish Elon Musk’s wealth (and therefore his power to directly influence government in ways I think are self-serving, dangerous, and harmful) by showing up en masse outside Tesla dealerships to urge the public to sell their Tesla stock and/or cars or avoid buying either of those things. Additionally, it signals the also rapidly expanding counterpoint to Musk’s previously positive media narrative. The protests may diminish sales—almost certainly will in the short term—but it becomes more likely this will happen long term the larger they grow and the longer they continue. Tesla sales are, IMO, the linchpin of the rest of Elon’s ventures. His status as “richest man in the world” hinges on his ability to hype himself and his companies to investors and the public at large. Several of the companies in his stable are private and/or mostly rely on government contracts for funding. There isn’t a lot the general public can do to influence them directly. Tesla stock, on the other hand, is publicly traded. Hurt his ability to leverage the actual products Tesla makes and its market dominance via the stock price, and you’ll lessen his power.
I managed to plan for a few things that were necessary at yesterday’s happening: rain jacket, hat, gloves, water, phone with Face ID turned off, and a text to my partner with the car’s parked location. Regarding that last one, any event I haven’t previously attended or where it’s possible there could be police cops—or worse—involved, it has seemed prudent, just in case the unexpected (or unthinkable) happens.
I forgot several things as well that I’ll fix for the next time:
- signs (I was one of several people around me who were used to union protests where they have pre-printed materials to hand out, so I didn’t worry about running out of time to make my own.)
- extra sign tools (a fat marker or two, maybe a few alcohol wipes.)
- A proper wool hat (As is clear in the photo above with my goofy face under it, I wore that baseball cap, and I can’t think why I brought that to a chilly outdoor PDX event instead of a warm beanie when we had several handy.)
- a warm drink (hot tea would’ve hit the spot nearing hour two.)
I don’t have a large platform or popularity so my own power is pretty minuscule. But once collective action gets big enough, things can change. Together we are strong.
E pluribus unum.