A grassroots movement is gaining momentum in the United States, with hundreds of citizens planning to protest at Tesla dealerships across the country on February 15. The movement, sparked by disinformation researcher Joan Donovan and documentary filmmaker Alex Winter, aims to condemn Elon Musk's actions as the head of the Department of Government Efficiency, which has been accused of "bloodletting" the federal government.

The protests come as the courts are still contesting Musk's actions, but citizens are growing increasingly frustrated with the slow pace of the judicial system. Some have already taken matters into their own hands, selling their Teslas or engaging in vandalism. However, Donovan and Winter's movement is focused on peaceful protest, using public pressure to hold Musk accountable for his actions.

Donovan, an assistant professor of journalism at Boston University, was inspired by a small protest in Maine, where citizens gathered outside a Tesla charging station with signs, sparking conversations and community engagement. She took to Bluesky, a social media platform, to call for a nationwide protest, using the hashtag #TeslaTakeover. Winter, who has worked with Donovan in the past, joined forces to help organize the effort, encouraging people to set up their own local protests.

As of Friday afternoon, 42 protest events had been set up across the United States, with hundreds of people RSVPing to participate. The movement has also gained international attention, with people planning protests in other countries. Winter has partnered with The Disruption Project, a group that offers training for mass activism, to support the effort.

The protests are not just about shaping public opinion or building community; they are also aimed at hitting Musk where it hurts – his wallet. Musk's vast wealth is largely tied to his ownership of about 20% of Tesla's stock, making him vulnerable to large swings in the company's stock price. If Tesla's stock were to plummet, Musk's lenders could demand he pay back his loans or renegotiate their terms. Winter hopes that the protests will create a "vote of no confidence" in Tesla's future, prompting a widespread selling of shares and hurting Musk's interests.

Donovan and Winter's concerns about Musk's influence extend beyond his actions as the head of the Department of Government Efficiency. They worry that his misinformation campaigns will lead to violence, particularly as he and his supporters target government workers, judges, and their family members. Donovan believes that Musk is "really leveraging the fact that many Americans are ignorant of how the government actually works" to spread misinformation and consolidate power.

Despite these concerns, Donovan remains hopeful that the protests will inspire people to take action and find local ways to resist Musk's influence. She believes that power is derived from the states, and that state agencies can take action to hold the federal government accountable. As the protests approach, it remains to be seen whether this grassroots movement can make a significant impact on Musk's actions and the future of the federal government.