Tag: Lean On Us

Scalpel vs Chainsaw

A chainsaw cuts through the trunk but roots remain. Protests are like a thousand surgical cuts, exacting a slow painful death for Tesla.

It was my second protest.

Our target was a newly born corporate giant – Tesla, Inc.

It had the potential to grow into mighty beneficial force only to turn lately into a funding source for a fascist. 

Tesla is a corporation led by a charismatic leader who promised a new world of consumer choice with environmental benefits, a cool modern design and a refreshingly new use of energy; only to use his influence and money he earned from his venture to tear down our democracy.

Fortunately, then unfortunately, Tesla grew up to become the step-child of Elon Musk who is a larger-than-life leader responsible for building a good intentioned company; only to become a pawn in his egotistical fantasy and global politics.

About a week ago, I protested in Trenton at the state capitol building as a general protest of the policies and executive orders of Trump and Musk. I considered that protest a warm-up and learning experience for a rookie. Being a quiet President’s Day in the city, it became apparent that we (about 500) were mostly preaching to the choir. You can’t help but ask yourself at the scene, “Who knows we we are here with our message?” With little traffic and little press coverage, I left there thinking it was worth the effort but it could have been much more. Confessions of a Reluctant Protester.

Paul with protest sign
Paul’s sign for Tesla protest

But today, Saturday, March 1, 2025, promised to be a more targeted effort. A Tesla Takedown. We were after Elon Musk’s primary source of wealth and income by loudly demonstrating in front of a Tesla showroom on Route 22, Springfield NJ – a notoriously busy commercial highway. It happens that Tesla vehicles can only be bought online. But, they are typically picked up and serviced at the few regional showrooms. Since, there are no dealerships, any effect that can be made at a showroom is directly on the company and not any independent dealer.

Outside Staples in Springfield ready to protest across the street

I heard of the hastily planned protest by SOMA Action thru posts on Facebook Group Lean On Us and registered for the event. Our group (estimated at 220) met across the street near a Staples, ready with signs and some general guidelines – Don’t block the showroom, don’t interact if there are counter-protesters and always safety-first. Luckily, there was plenty of parking nearby and a grassy shoulder right in front of the Tesla showroom facing Route 22.

protest
protest
protest

The weather was cold and windy but the traffic was constant and moving slowly as they saw an impressive protesting crowd yelling loudly and waving signs they could not miss. Our enthusiastic group of all ages yelled to chants such as “Hey, hey, ho, ho, Elon Musk has got to go!” As cars were going by at 20 mph, horns were blaring in support. Even more strangely, many passengers (and even some drivers) were video-recording the protest on their smartphones as they passed by. It seemed mostly positive support, in spite of the fact that we were causing a major slowdown! 

Protesting in front of Tesla showroom in Springfield NJ

A steady stream of traffic, including local police and Tesla owners drove by from noon to 1:30. I felt tired yet relieved. We all came away with the feeling that this was an effective protest having been seen and heard by several hundred, if not thousands, in a very short time. 

I know if I owned a Tesla, whether or not I believed in what Musk-Trump was doing, I might think hard about conveying a negative feeling. Does the car now represent a political point of view? Has the brand and value of my Tesla been trashed? Being able to generate those feelings is a victory, however small, for democracy by my account. 

If Musk-Trump can “chainsaw” government services at the elevated organization level by cutting thousands of jobs at once, maybe enough motivated individuals can surgically cut into organizations like Tesla with a “scalpel” using various forms of protests that destroy the brand and negatively affect sales over time.

Tesla’s role as a pioneer in electric vehicles is over. Today, there are plenty of companies that can offer a better product without the dirty laundry. We can put capitalism to work if we all get out our scalpels and carve Tesla into a pariah. A slow death for Tesla, by a thousand cuts, would be sweet justice and a fitting contrast to a chainsaw massacre. 

More Thomas Paine words of wisdom in troubled times….

Confessions of a Reluctant Protester

What can the average person do to fight back? It’s never too early or too late to get involved. Take back our country before it’s too late.

It didn’t have to be this way.
I’m a reluctant protester and I’m pissed off.

I have been enjoying an active, yet complacent retirement for the last eight years. At least that was the case until Trump clawed his way back to running our nation. Four days from today I’ll turn 77 years old. I’m at a time in my life where one usually mellows and winds down activities and ambitions. But, if Trump, at 78, can find the energy to ruin a country, then maybe I should at least try to help build it back. But how?

I’m still trying to understand what happened in just a few short weeks. What will happen tomorrow? And, how can anything be the same once the dust settles? I bemoan those who have lost their government jobs and noble ideals that they upheld. Collateral business, friendships and relationships may be permanently frayed. It will take a lot of effort to someday reconstruct a government and a community that are in basic harmony again.

I have to ask myself, “Is it me?” Why do those I care about not seem as troubled about the repercussions of what is happening? The news is filled with so many new catastrophes each day. It’s all shocking and numbing, yet still feels distant right now. Most of us have yet to see the effect these changes will have to employment, health, safety and peace – to name a few likely bad outcomes. And, for what?

Protest – “Not My President”

Last Monday I gathered for a protest at the New Jersey state capitol building in Trenton for a few hours, venting my frustrations and meeting others who had similar feelings. I had gotten a tip from my friend Bob who had posted some of his frustrations with the current state of affairs. He created a private Facebook group Lean On Us which linked to a national public site 50501 which listed a “Not My President Day” event. It seemed like the perfect celebration for this President’s Day. Understand, at this point most of us are just becoming active and have no idea how this works and what to expect.

I got there early and then watched as a handful of us became a large crowd of about 500 or more. Apparently, our small group was just one of many small organic groups of citizens that had become frustrated enough to get out in 20 degree weather with 20 mph winds to protest what Trump-Musk is doing to destroy our government. There were no speakers but plenty of motivated, energetic and loud people with great rebellious signs wanting to take back what we already lost and to stop the bleeding.

Protest Builds

The size of the crowd, chants and the waiving and beeping of cars was the only indication that we are on the right track. There was little press coverage, although similar protests were happening across the country at many state capital buildings.

I would not call protesting fun but it is rewarding. A least it feels like I’m actively doing something. Ultimately, you want your effort to pay off and have some effect, even it’s just to let others know that they are not alone. My dream is that everyone finds a way to express their anger and their will; enough to change what seems to be an inevitable train wreck.

If you feel frustrated too, find a way to get active. It's a new rebellion. Protesting, phone calls, writing letters, talking to others will help you cope as it did for me. 

Remember what Thomas Paine wrote in the American Crisis..."These are the times that try men's souls."