NEW YORK — A Tesla showroom in Manhattan became the center of intensifying protests on Saturday, as demonstrators opposing Elon Musk’s role in federal workforce reductions clashed with authorities, leading to nine arrests.

The protest was part of the growing “Tesla Takedown” movement, which has been staging demonstrations at Tesla dealerships across the country in response to Musk’s leadership of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a position he was appointed to by President Donald Trump.

Approximately 300 protesters gathered outside the Tesla store, with most remaining peaceful.

However, a small group entered the showroom, prompting staff to temporarily shut it down.

The New York Police Department later confirmed nine arrests but has yet to disclose specific charges.

Similar protests erupted in cities across the U.S., including Jacksonville, Florida, and Tucson, Arizona, where demonstrators blocked traffic and displayed banners reading “Burn a Tesla: Save Democracy” and “No Dictators in the USA.”

The demonstrations reflect growing discontent with Musk’s oversight of DOGE, which has led to sweeping federal workforce reductions, thousands of layoffs, and the termination of government contracts and leases.

The “Tesla Takedown” movement aims to weaken Musk’s economic standing by urging investors and consumers to distance themselves from Tesla.

Actor Alex Winter, a key organizer, described the initiative as an effort to create a “vote of no confidence” among Tesla shareholders, CNN reported.

The protests have now expanded beyond the U.S., with demonstrations taking place in European cities such as Barcelona, London, Lisbon, and Reykjavik.

In Germany, environmental activists recently attempted to storm Tesla’s Berlin Gigafactory, citing concerns over the plant’s environmental impact, including water consumption and deforestation.

German police intervened, detaining several protesters and dismantling a nearby protest encampment, according to German news agency dpa.

Despite the intensifying backlash, Musk’s net worth remains among the highest globally, currently estimated at $359 billion, according to Forbes. However, Tesla’s stock has experienced volatility amid the ongoing demonstrations and calls for divestment. — Agencies