Protesters Gather at NYC Tesla Showroom for ACT UP’s 38th Anniversary Action “Death By 1000 Musk Cuts”
Hundreds gathered at the Tesla Showroom on West 13th Street and Washington Street in New York City on March 29, 2025, to commemorate ACT UP’s 38th anniversary and protest recent healthcare cuts under Elon Musk, Donald Trump, and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. The demonstration, titled “Death By 1000 Musk Cuts,” began at noon at the NYC AIDS Memorial, where participants rallied before marching to Tesla’s showroom for a dramatic die-in protest.
ACT UP (AIDS Coalition To Unleash Power), joined by activist groups Rise & Resist and Housing Works, organized the event to highlight what they describe as devastating budget freezes and cuts to crucial health programs such as PEPFAR, USAID, Medicaid, and Medicare. These cuts, activists argue, endanger millions of lives globally and in the United States.
The scene outside Tesla’s showroom was vibrant and charged with emotion, as protesters displayed signs sharply criticizing Elon Musk’s influence on public health policies. Messages included “Tesla Funds Fascists,” “Don’t Buy Swasticars,” and “South Africa, Come Get Your Boy,” reflecting the anger and frustration towards Musk’s policies and perceived political affiliations.
Ryan F. Casey, a prominent activist and speaker at the protest, led chants and calls for action. Protesters engaged in a collective phone campaign during the demonstration, calling New York State Comptroller DiNapoli to demand the immediate divestment of state pensions from Tesla.
The most visually striking element was the large, symbolic representation of a damaged Tesla vehicle constructed from cardboard, emblazoned with provocative messages directed toward Musk. Protesters wearing masks and dramatic outfits, including symbolic attire and accessories like red clown noses labeled “D.O.G.E Bag,” underscored their criticisms of Musk’s association with cryptocurrency and controversial public statements.
Participants also enacted a “die-in,” dramatically laying on the ground to symbolize lives potentially lost due to healthcare cuts. Tombstone-shaped signs carried sobering messages such as “Died, Couldn’t Afford Epi-Pen,” and “RIP Pandemic Prep,” underscoring the human cost of policy decisions.
Organizers emphasized the urgency of protecting healthcare funding and pledged to continue their fight against policies they see as threatening public health. “ACT UP! Fight Back! Fight AIDS!” echoed repeatedly throughout the protest, reinforcing the enduring legacy of activism that ACT UP has championed for nearly four decades.
For more information, visit ACT UP’s official site at www.actupny.com or follow their updates on Instagram @actupny.
