Tesla’s California electric car factory has resumed operations this week in violation of Alameda County’s shelter in place order, in a show of true leadership Musk tweeted, “If anyone is arrested, I ask that it only be me.”
Tesla is restarting production today against Alameda County rules. I will be on the line with everyone else. If anyone is arrested, I ask that it only be me.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) May 11, 2020
On Monday the parking lot at the Fremont plant that employs 10,000 workers was full as Musk tries to get his company back to business.
California Governor Gavin Newsom claimed on Monday night that he didn’t know the plant reopened after being asked multiple times by reporters about the scuffle between Tesla and Alameda county.
“As it was just mentioned, I need the details of that,” Newsom said. “My understanding is when I walked up to the podium today that wasn’t the case. I’m trying to monitor hundreds of thousands of businesses all throughout the state of California.”
Newsom is staying out of the fight and he believes that Alameda County and Musk will come to an agreement, an hour after that Musk wrote that Tesla will restart full production.
Musk has said that he believes the stay at home orders have violated the constitution and called stay at home orders “fascist” during his first-quarter earnings meeting.
Frustrated with his battle with Alameda County Musk has already said that he is moving the companies headquarters and further operations to Nevada and Texas. Musk said that the continued manufacturing at the Fremont plant will be dependent on how Tesla is treated in the future.
This is a product of Newsom’s order that allows countries to impose restrictions that is more stringent than state guidelines. Alameda County was one of the first San Francisco Bay Area counties to impose a lockdown in March.
The San Fransisco Gate reports:
Alameda County Sheriff Sgt. Ray Kelly said Monday he didn’t know if Tesla has reopened and that this is in the “attorney phase.” Any enforcement would come from Fremont police, he said. Fremont police did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Mayor Lily Mei, who has expressed support for Tesla, also did not immediately return messages seeking comment.
State law allows a fine of up to $1,000 per day or up to 90 days in jail for operating in violation of health orders.
On Monday, the county Health Department referred to a statement it made Saturday saying it was working with Tesla to develop a safety plan allowing the Fremont plant to reopen.
