An Ann Arbor protestor was harassed and followed by Nazis after a Tesla protest last Thursday. The fascistic actions of Donald Trump and Elon Musk have done tremendous damage not only to Americans but also to Musk’s brand. Tesla is now the subject of frequent protests in response to Musk’s public Nazism, including his performance of the Sieg Heil salute and his support for the far-right German party AfD. Whether the Nazis were triggered by the protestor’s sign or just wanted to intimidate someone, what happened means dark days for Michigan and beyond.
Ann Arbor Tesla Protestor Targeted By Nazis
Ann Arbor joins Columbus, NYC, and many other cities in protesting Tesla. It was while attending a Tesla protest in Ann Arbor last Thursday that Redditor u/Warm_Cauliflower5378 saw someone in a red car perform a Nazi salute. This may have been in response to the protestor’s sign which read, “You know a Nazi when you see one” and featured a sketch of Musk’s salute. An hour or so later, when the OP started driving home, the same person honked to draw their attention. The person (“white male, 20s, shoulder length light brown or blonde hair”) then grinned and repeated the Nazi salute.
It was then that the OP noticed a second car driven by a second white male. He also performed the salute. A video shot by the OP shows most of the interaction. It ends with the OP pulling to the side of the road, seemingly to collect themselves. The OP says they tried to file a police report, only to meet with confusion from the Washtenaw sheriff deputy with whom they spoke.
Reddit Reacts To Michigan Nazis
A Reddit post by u/Warm_Cauliflower5378 about the situation received over 5k upvotes and numerous comments. One commenter pointed out the cowardice of the Nazis, saying, “These people only confront me when I’m solo up there. Once there are a few people, they stay away. Total cowards. Keep exercising your right to free speech, being a friend when you can, and hope you stay safe [Sic].” Free speech and protests are coming under increasing fire from the U.S. government and white supremacists. Being cautious is good advice. Another commenter pointed out the fascist hypocrisy, saying,
Weird how when you call the billionaire doing Nazi salutes a Nazi, other people come out to harass/intimidate you and throw Nazi salutes. I’ve been assured that none of these people are actually Nazis though, so Im sure its fine /s [Sic]
The Ann Arbor Tesla isn’t alone in its Nazi problem. Far-right sentiment was always high in the U.S., but under Trump, the quiet part is being screamed through a bullhorn. Attempts by Nazis and other MAGA enthusiasts to intimidate protestors will only increase. Standing strong and spreading the word the way the OP did in Michigan? That’s a good start to fighting back.
