Tennessee Senator confronted by Tesla protesters in Bartlett

On March 22, protesters gathered outside a Tesla showroom in Bartlett, Tennessee. They confronted Senator Brent Taylor as he arrived to show his support for Tesla and the local employees. Taylor spoke to the crowd and expressed his desire to engage with those opposed to his views. Taylor clarified that his purpose for attending was to back the workers at Tesla who rely on their jobs. He described his interactions with the protesters, saying he wanted to listen to their opinions. However, he later criticized them in a social media post, calling some protesters "weathered purple-haired hippies" and questioning their understanding of the protest's purpose. Despite the protests, Taylor claimed that Tesla's business in the area was thriving, reporting a 50% increase in sales. He argued that the protests might harm the very workers they aimed to support, as decreasing business could lead to job losses. The protest included a mix of flags and signage representing various causes, which Taylor noted in his comments. He expressed his surprise at the diversity of the protesters and suggested that many might not know exactly what they were protesting against. Taylor emphasized that open discussion is essential in a democratic society, even when opinions differ.