Editor's note: This article contains antisemitic language.
A Tesla supercharger station located at 740 S Meadow St. was defaced with swastikas and other Nazi messages.
At approximately 1:30 p.m. on Monday, the Ithaca Police Departmentresponded to a report of vandalism involving the superchargers. Seven of the eight chargers were vandalized with swastikas, with two having “Hail Hitler” written on them. The eighth charger had a “Tesla is Fascist” sticker. The chargers were not damaged.
No suspect has been identified or charged by the IPD at time of publication.
In an email to The Sun, Thomas Kelly, the chief of police at the IPD, confirmed that they are investigating the incident.
“Hate and discrimination has no place in Ithaca,” Kelly wrote. “An investigation is underway, the damage has been documented and investigators are reviewing area surveillance video.”
Kelly urged anyone with information to contact the IPD tip line at 607-330-0000.
The vandalism comes amid a broader trend of Tesla-related protests and defacement. Across the U.S. and internationally, Tesla superchargers, vehicles and stores have been targeted, often in opposition to Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer Elon Musk.
Musk has drawn criticism for making hand gestures at a Trump inaugural ceremony that resembled a Nazi salute. Musk also expressed support for the far-right Alternative for Germany party and urged Germans to move on from their “past guilt” just days before the International Holocaust Remembrance Day.
In response to growing acts of vandalism, Tesla has vowed to take legal action against those responsible.
When an X user posted a picture of a vandalized Tesla supercharger with the caption, “This graffiti at my local Supercharger would suggest that perhaps Elon Musk is damaging Tesla’s brand,” Tesla replied that the vandalism “will be removed by tomorrow morning” and stated that the company intends to “press charges for vandalism at Superchargers.”
Rabbi Caleb Brommer of Temple Beth-El, a synagogue located at 402 N Tioga St., condemned the use of Nazi imagery and symbols regardless of intent in an email to The Sun, arguing that there are “better and clearer ways” to protest against Musk’s political positions and actions.
“Vandalism is not a medium known for its nuance — its intended message is often unclear and so any Nazi imagery, symbols, slogans only serve to harm and frighten Jews, queer people, people of color, and other marginalized folks,” Brommer wrote.
Brommer emphasized the need for Ithaca to foster an inclusive and welcoming environment.
“It's critical for the community to take proactive steps to make sure that Jews, queer folks, disabled people, people of color, and other marginalized communities targeted by Nazi ideology and its derivatives that they are welcome and valued in Ithaca — that we make up an important part of the fabric of this beautiful community,” Brommer wrote.
Correction, March 1, 1:45 a.m.: A previous version of this article misattributed the photo credit.
