Anti-Nazi Organization Promises to 'Cause Physical Harm' to Teslas Beginning Today | Carscoops

      The group Students Against Nazi Extremists (SANE) has announced plans to damage Teslas in four California cities, starting on February 12.

      This California-based group, SANE, aims to vandalize Teslas to pressure owners into selling their vehicles.

      Details of their plan, which has been shared with local media, indicate that they will begin damaging Teslas on February 12.

      Currently, SANE seems to be a relatively small organization, but this isn’t the first instance of vandalism targeting Teslas.

      Their mission statement reads, “Create enough shame to make it onerous for anyone to buy or operate a Tesla-branded vehicle.” They intend to elicit shame through aggression rather than dialogue, declaring their intention to “inflict physical damage to Tesla-branded vehicles.”

      How did Tesla, a maker of electric cars, become associated with an anti-Nazi initiative? SANE attributes this to Tesla CEO Elon Musk’s political behavior and actions, claiming his support for far-right organizations in the U.S. and Germany and making gestures that some interpret as reminiscent of Nazi salutes. As a result, they have abandoned principles of tolerance and goodwill in favor of vandalism, labeling Musk as “an overt Nazi with a history of fascist, racist, misogynist, and criminal behavior.”

      **Threats, Bricks, and a Deadline**

      According to the Lost Coast Outpost, the group has sent a manifesto and has taken responsibility for leaving threats on at least 13 Teslas in California. The small group, reportedly with only ten members, plans to start damaging vehicles on February 12 and continue through the end of the month. They have left messages on the targeted cars demanding owners sell them by the 12th or face vandalism, without a plan for who the owners might sell to.

      Local law enforcement has been monitoring these threats for more than a week. The City of Arcata issued a statement confirming that during the week of February 3, 2025, several Tesla owners in Arcata found suspicious flyers on their vehicles. The messages suggested threats if the owners did not sell or trade their cars by February 12, 2025. One flyer even accompanied a brick placed on a car’s windshield, stating, “No Nazis in America.”

      Police are aware of this issue happening in different communities throughout the state, and the Arcata Police Department is keeping a close eye on the situation. They encourage anyone with relevant information to reach out at 707-822-2424 or anonymously through their Crime Tip-Line at 707-825-2558.

      **More Than Just Arcata**

      Arcata is just one of four cities targeted by SANE; the others include Hayward, Seaside, and Rohnert Park. One resident threatened by the group responded by sending a note to the Lost Coast Outpost. They expressed, “How ironic that this threat is directed at a community that overwhelmingly supports democratic ideals… Instead of resorting to violence, perhaps the perpetrators should contribute to progressive causes, encourage voting, contact their congressional representatives, and support ethical businesses. Our community and our Teslas are not the enemy. Ironically, I am of Jewish descent—Nazis indeed.”

      SANE’s motivations may be rooted in political frustration—whether justified or not—but their approach is unlikely to yield the impact they desire. Protests and vandalism linked to Musk have already occurred globally, yet neither Tesla nor Musk has taken steps to mitigate the situation. Regardless of their stance on Musk, targeting private property is unlikely to garner sympathy for their cause.