Tesla protests held in Canada as part of 'global day of action' against Elon Musk

Hundreds of protests at Tesla showrooms around the world are expected on Saturday, including multiple demonstrations organized across Canada.

Dubbed the Tesla Takedown's Global Day of Action, it is the latest demonstration by those who object to the role Tesla CEO Elon Musk has played in the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump.

Demonstrators say they want people to sell their Tesla vehicles and dump any stock in the company.

"I'm actually an EV owner, so I support electric vehicles, but when Elon Musk's wealth is used as a way to exert power over entire countries, I think we have an obligation to come out here and protest the existence of this company," demonstrator Jason Hanson said at the Saskatoon event.

"I don't like bullies ... and I don't like plutocrats," he said. "We can't protest Donald Trump right now because he doesn't have a Trump Tower in Saskatoon. So this is the next closest thing."

Musk heads the U.S. Department of Government Efficiency and has been tied to controversies that include laying off thousands of federal workers in the United States and publicly voicing support for the far-right Alternative for Germany party. He has also been condemned for a gesture during a rally marking Trump's inauguration that critics have said resembled a Nazi salute.

In Canada, Musk has drawn criticism for supporting Trump's plans to make Canada the 51st U.S. state and calling then-prime minister Justin Trudeau the country's "governor" in a January social media exchange.

Despite wintry weather, protesters gathered at a Tesla dealership in Ottawa on Saturday, including Nancy Wasserman.

"I think it speaks to the way that Canadians are really appalled by what's going on with our neighbours to the south," Wasserman said, referring to what she says is democratic backsliding in the U.S. under the Trump administration.

"Certainly my hope is that the U.S. will return to its democratic roots and that the friendship that existed for decades between the U.S. and Canada will come back. But I think the last two months have shown us that a lot can happen in a very, very short time."

At one dealership in Vancouver, passing drivers loudly honked their horns at protesters there who gathered and held up signs denouncing Musk, accusing him of promoting an atmosphere of hate and authoritarianism.

"My late mother and my 94-year-old father fought for people's rights and freedoms, for progressive values, all their lives," said protester Joellen Housego.

"So I'm here for them to stand up for what they believed in and what I believe in, and to protect people who are vulnerable."

The backlash in Canada to Musk and Tesla has been swift.

An online petition was launched in February asking Trudeau to strip Musk of his Canadian citizenship, accusing the CEO of engaging in activities that "go against the national interest of Canada." It received more than 375,000 signatures.

Tesla dealerships were also hit with vandalism in Canada, with paint sprayed on the exterior of one Montreal location and 80 vehicles scratched at a lot in Hamilton.

Earlier this month, organizers of the Vancouver International Auto Show banned Tesla because of concerns about the safety of workers, attendees and exhibitors.