Protesters opposed to Elon Musk's actions as CEO of DOGE (Department of Government Efficiency) are gearing up for their largest day of action yet, with plans to stage 500 demonstrations at Tesla showrooms and Supercharger stations worldwide on March 29th. The protests, dubbed the "Tesla Takedown," aim to drive down Tesla's stock price and force Musk to sell his shares to pay back the billions of dollars of debt he took on to acquire Twitter.

The protests, which began at a handful of Tesla locations in early February, have grown to hundreds of locations across the world. Organizers are calling on protesters to demonstrate at all 277 Tesla showrooms in the US, as well as hundreds more overseas. The protests have become a flashpoint for opposition to Musk's actions, including his dismantling of federal aid programs and firing of tens of thousands of government employees.

Despite the protests being peaceful, there have been incidents of arson, vandalism, and violence against Tesla showrooms, which have led to Musk and President Donald Trump labeling them "domestic terrorism." Attorney General Pam Bondi has promised "severe consequences" for those involved in these attacks. However, organizers are adamant that their movement is peaceful and nonviolent, with Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-Tex.) stating that "we're fighting for our country, we're fighting for democracy, and we're fighting for our freedoms."

The protests have gained momentum in recent weeks, with Tesla's stock price plummeting nearly 40% since the beginning of the year. The company's market value has dropped from $1.08 trillion to $739 billion, with Musk's stake worth around $96 billion. Several board members, including chair Robyn Denholm and James Murdoch, have sold over $100 million in Tesla stock in recent weeks.

Organizers believe that driving down Tesla's stock price could be a "solid strategy" to force Musk to sell his shares and relinquish control of the company. Micah Lee, an investigative journalist, stated that "if we kill the Tesla brand, if we drive down the stock price low enough, we can force him to sell his stock to pay back the billions of dollars of debt that he took on to buy Twitter." However, it's unclear whether hurting Tesla would actually affect Musk, given his close relationship with President Trump and his consolidated political power.

Experts have noted that Musk's love of memes and his self-perception as a "black hat hacker" who has "broken into the government" could be an advantage for him. Joan Donovan, an assistant professor of journalism and emerging media studies at Boston University, stated that "he thinks of himself as this black hat hacker that's broken into the government and socially engineered his way into the Treasury and he's gonna abscond with all the data, it's an obvious data heist."

As the protests approach, organizers are advising protesters to consult with attorneys to understand the laws in their states and to be prepared for potential intimidation tactics. Lauren Regan, executive director and senior staff attorney at the Civil Liberties Defense Center, noted that states may be hesitant to prosecute activists, but it's essential to know what laws apply in each area.

The "Tesla Takedown" protests have become a significant flashpoint in the ongoing debate over Elon Musk's actions and their implications for democracy and the economy. As the movement gains momentum, it remains to be seen whether it will be successful in driving down Tesla's stock price and forcing Musk to relinquish control of the company.