Elon Musk’s Political Moves and Tesla’s Labor Practices Spark Protests in Fremont

A group of 75 protesters gathered in Fremont to address Elon Musk’s political involvement and Tesla’s controversial cobalt sourcing in the DRC. Protesters cited concerns about child labor in cobalt mining, leading to calls for boycotts. The company’s previous commitments to audits and transparency remain under scrutiny following a federal court ruling on labor practices.

Protesters took to the streets in Fremont on Saturday, targeting Elon Musk’s political actions and Tesla’s controversial practices in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The group, consisting of approximately 75 individuals, gathered outside the Tesla factory, prompting local police to step in and block off several streets to manage the crowd. The rally was about more than Musk’s alleged role in job cuts at the Department of Government Efficiency; many had concerns about ethical practices in sourcing materials.

Chris Christensen, one of the protestors, voiced concerns about Tesla’s operations in regions like Congo and Sudan, especially regarding the procurement of coltan for electric vehicle production. The company has faced scrutiny for reports of child labor in cobalt mining, a critical component of lithium-ion batteries.

At a shareholders meeting in 2023, Musk made a commitment to address these allegations, asserting that Tesla would ensure its suppliers were not engaging in abusive labor practices. Musk stated, “We will do a third-party audit… We’ll put a webcam on the mine. If anybody sees any children, please let us know.” Critics question how effective this monitoring could be amid ongoing human rights violations.

However, a legal decision earlier in 2024 complicated matters. A federal appeals court ruled that five major tech companies, including Tesla, could not be held liable for their alleged support of child labor in cobalt mining. Sixteen plaintiffs accused these corporations of intentionally hiding their use of child labor, forcing children into mining through dire economic conditions.

Protestors on Saturday claimed that their demonstration disrupted operations at Tesla’s facility. Attendees were unified in their message, with one demonstrator, Nick, calling for a consumer boycott: “On a consumer level, boycott Tesla. Stop giving them money.” Tesla, at the time of the protest, did not provide any immediate response to inquiries from NBC Bay Area.

The protest in Fremont highlighted significant concerns about Tesla’s labor practices and Musk’s political engagements. As accusations of child labor in cobalt mining circulate, the company’s commitment to ethical sourcing remains under scrutiny. Despite a legal ruling protecting companies from liability, the demonstrators emphasized a call for accountability and consumer action against ethical breaches in the electric vehicle supply chain.

Original Source: www.nbcbayarea.com