Protesters Rally in Fremont Against Elon Musk and Tesla’s Congo Operations

Protesters in Fremont rallied against Elon Musk’s political engagement and Tesla’s cobalt sourcing in Congo. With claims of child labor linked to mining practices, demonstrators demanded accountability while urging consumer boycotts. Musk’s responses and past legal rulings add added context to the ongoing debates around Tesla’s ethical conduct.

On Saturday, a group of approximately 75 protesters gathered outside the Tesla factory in Fremont to voice their opposition to Elon Musk’s political activities and concerns regarding Tesla’s operations in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The demonstration attracted considerable police attention, leading officers to close some adjoining roads. Protesters expressed dissatisfaction with not just Musk’s political power, particularly in reducing jobs through his role at the Department of Government Efficiency, but also the ethical implications of Tesla’s sourcing practices.

Among the protesters, Chris Christensen articulated specific concerns about Tesla’s procurement processes in countries such as Congo and Sudan for essential materials like coltan. Activists have accused Tesla of relying on child labor for cobalt mining, a critical component for lithium-ion batteries. Such allegations have cast a shadow over the company’s ethical practices concerning its supply chains.

In a notable move during Tesla’s annual shareholder meeting in May 2023, Musk pledged to ensure no child or forced labor was present in the supply chain of the company. He proposed a third-party audit of the cobalt mining operations and even suggested installing a webcam to monitor activities at the mines, stating, “If anybody sees any children, please let us know.”

In 2024, a federal appeals court ruled against holding five major tech corporations—including Tesla—accountable for allegations that they benefit from child labor in cobalt mining operations in the DRC. Plaintiffs in the case alleged that these companies, including giants like Alphabet and Apple, had intentionally misled stakeholders about their reliance on child labor forced by dire economic circumstances.

Protesters maintained that their actions had significant impact, claiming to have halted production at the Tesla factory for a substantial period. Tesla has yet to provide a response to NBC Bay Area’s inquiries regarding the protest. One demonstrator, identified as Nick, urged consumers to boycott Tesla, stating, “Stop giving them money,” reflecting a growing call for ethical consumerism in light of such controversies.

The protest outside the Tesla factory in Fremont highlighted critical concerns about Elon Musk’s influence and Tesla’s ethical practices in sourcing materials. Demonstrators voiced strong opposition to alleged child labor in cobalt mining, urging for accountability and consumer action. While Musk has made promises for transparency, the issue remains contentious, with past legal challenges adding to the complexity of Tesla’s operations in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Original Source: www.nbcbayarea.com