On the bike to demonstrate against Tesla. « We have nothing against those cars, »

Two grandfathers and a grandmother meet in the Library of Tilburg, with the idea that they should do something. On their cell phones they see that a worldwide action against Tesla is planned. Isn’t there that very big Tesla showroom here outside the city? With some difficulty they know how to register on the website of the demonstration, just without having to consult ‘the elderly help desk’, says organizer Willem Bongaarts (79). « And then you hang. »

The demonstration collects on Saturday on the outskirts of the city, in the parking lot of a hearing care professional. Bongaarts addresses those present through a megaphone. « Thank you for being there. We are going to cycle to the Tesla. » A string of about fifty cyclists and one mobility scooter slowly drives towards the Tesla showroom outside the city.

On Saturday, hundreds of Tesla locations worldwide were demonstrated against the company and especially against the director: Elon Musk. Under the name ‘Takedown Tesla’, only more than two hundred demonstrations took place in the US. The anger about Musks involvement in the Trump government is largely aimed at Tesla, its most profitable company.

« Elon Musk uses the fortune he earned with Tesla to destroy democracy, » writes the organization of Takedown Tesla in their call. She calls on owners to sell their Tesla, dump shares and participate in the protest. « We plummet the stock price of Tesla to stop Musk. »

The participants in Tilburg are also convinced of the need to stop Musk, but they are less fierce at the company. « Because we have nothing against those cars, » says organizer Bongaarts. « And the employment of those people there, please, let them be preserved. It is not our fault if that factory has to be closed or becomes smaller. »

Most know someone who drives a Tesla. « They can’t help it in itself, » says Erik Brakkee (55). « If you sell it today, then someone else will drive in. I also think it is a shame for them if their trade -in value will fall. »

An acquaintance of Mirjam Sikkers (73) bought one two years ago. « I understand it, » she says. « But I wouldn’t buy anymore. »

« I think it’s a bit different if you already have it, you think it is for sustainability, » says Marjo Hoogzaad (71). She has a cardboard sign with various anti -fascist stickers and the text ‘Support no fascist’ bound for her bike. « Because Musk is of course a fascist. It is not without reason that he did the Hitler salute. »

‘I’m with Vivian’

« If I am very honest, I thought it would be nice to drive in a Tesla in the past, » says Ronald (63). « But now with Elon Musk, I would say: you don’t want to be seen anymore. » On the cardboard sign that he carries with him says « I’m with Vivian », the name of the daughter of Elon Musk who is transgender. According to Vivian, Musk broke with her a few years ago for that reason.

When the demonstration arrives at the giant Tesla showroom, Fanfare is already playing the perpetual assistance. The fanfare was founded in 1979 and is a household name for the organizers and their peers. The ensemble even traveled to Kent in the 1980s to assist the striking miners.

Bongaarts protested against the Vietnam War in the 1960s, this is the first demonstration he organizes himself. Would he want to do that again? « Well, as an almost eighty -year -old you hope it will be taken over by younger generations. But that is very complicated. » Democracy seems like a natural phenomenon for the youth, says Bongert. « But it is not, you have to work constantly on that, you have to stay awake for that, you have to commit yourself to that. »

In one of the giant gray sheds that Tesla has put here, Tesla’s ‘mounted’ were until recently, after they had previously taken apart in the US. That was a way for Musk to evade the import duties that only apply to complete cars. Now there is a showroom, campus and Delivery Center. The two -meter high fence remains closed during the demonstration, the blinded doors behind it too.

Only when all protesters have left do two employees come out carefully. « The right person is currently not present, » says the first in response to questions. « Say nothing! », The second calls out quickly.

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