Anger at Elon Musk’s involvement in the federal government is growing. Over the weekend, hundreds of protests were held outside Tesla dealerships across the country, including the one on North Federal Highway in Fort Lauderdale.

“We’re all being attacked by the same individuals,” first-time protester Norman Bednar said while wearing a rainbow shirt. He was there to protest the administration’s attacks on the LGBTQ community Others were there to stand up for Ukraine, some to rage against cuts to Medicaid/Medicare.

One man, who asked to remain anonymous, held a flag reading “Veterans Against Trump,” is an Army veteran and is angry about cuts to the Veterans Affairs department.

“I’m worried that my veteran brothers and sisters are gonna suffer in their healthcare. Not just in cuts to disability benefits but also cuts to VA staff. It already takes forever and a half sometimes to get certain care and we’re worried it’s going to take even longer now.”

The protests have been going on every Saturday afternoon in March. Bud Beehler of Resist Broward, helped organize the local rally.

“People are becoming more and more scared. Not just about Social Security, not just the crazy stuff that’s happening with Musk, just with all the crazy in the current administration.”

The loud coalition of very disparate groups is a stark contrast to the indifference seen during the last election, which led to the new Trump administration.

Protests are at Tesla dealerships because their owner, Elon Musk, is the face of the administration’s deep cuts to government agencies and cuts to aid services in the U.S. and abroad. He runs the newly created DOGE, Department of Government efficiency. Musk appeared at one event wielding a chainsaw to represent his approach to cutting jobs.

Since Jan. 20 Tesla’s stock has plummeted nearly $163 per share, about a third of its value.

“It’s important to come out and do our civic duty, which is to protest,” Carlos Morales, an LGBTQ protester, said.

The local protest has grown from about 100 people the first Saturday in March to about 450-500 at Saturday’s rally. Many held signs saying “Fire Musk,” “Traitors,” “No Kings In America,” and “Deport Musk.”

Musk is originally from South Africa and grew up during Apartheid, a political system that heavily favored the White minority while oppressing Black citizens.

The local protests have been peaceful. A handful of Musk and Trump supporters were across the street holding their flags, but there were no confrontations. Some Tesla Trucks appeared to be doing laps up and down Federal. One didn’t have any license plates, and another swerved into the bike lane in what appears to be an attempt to frighten protesters.

It didn’t work.

Protests are expected to continue through at least April. This Saturday, the main rally will be at Arts Park on Young Circle in Hollywood.

Screenshot via OutSFL Live, YouTube.