TN Senator warns of ‘Tesla Takedown' in Memphis this weekend
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Tennessee Senator Brent Taylor (R-Memphis) says a 'radical leftist group' is participating in a 'Tesla Takedown' protest in Memphis on Saturday.
'I have asked them to 'Deal with Dumb****s' at the 'Tesla Takedown protest! We will not accept this leftist terrorism in Tennessee while I'm working to #MakeMemphisMatter to put an end to lawlessness in Shelby County,' said Sen. Taylor in a social media post.
This comes as protests and attacks on Tesla vehicles and dealerships are popping up across the U.S. and overseas, in opposition to Tesla CEO Elon Musk. Cybertrucks have been set ablaze, and bullets and Molotov cocktails have been aimed at Tesla showrooms in recent days, according to the Associated Press.
President Donald Trump has threatened retribution, stating that Tesla vandalism amounts to 'domestic terror.'
Violent attacks on Tesla dealerships spike as Musk takes prominent role in Trump White House
The website for an organization called Indivisible Tennessee has a Tesla protest scheduled for Saturday in Memphis, Franklin, Chattanooga and Knoxville.
The listing specifies that participants not enter Tesla private property, protest only on public sidewalks and remain non-violent. The Memphis-area dealership is in Bartlett, in the Wolfchase area.
'A core principle behind all Indivisible events is a commitment to nonviolent action. We expect all participants to seek to de-escalate any potential confrontation with those who disagree with our values,' the group's website states.
Sen. Taylor said in a social media post that he has been in touch with law enforcement agencies in Memphis and Shelby County, as well as Mayor Paul Young regarding the alleged 'Tesla Takedown' event planned over the weekend.
Taylor described the protest as 'evil' and 'illegal,' but noted that city officials are aware of the situation and will be prepared.
WREG has contacted city officials to see if they are aware of any planned protest, but we have not heard back.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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