New Orleans, LA – March 3, 2025
The Krewe of Orpheus parade, a staple of New Orleans’ Mardi Gras season, saw an unusual disruption this year when Tesla Cybertrucks, deployed as Marshal vehicles, faced a hostile crowd. The trouble began almost as soon as the vehicles turned right onto Napoleon Avenue, according to one of the Cybertruck owners, Christina (@winespringcafe on X). Over the next two hours, the situation escalated into a barrage of beads, debris, and boos, leaving the Cybertrucks with cracked windows and their drivers shaken.
A Parade Under Siege
The attack started in a boxed-in section of the parade route where the drivers had no way to safely exit. The crowd’s mood shifted unpredictably: a peaceful section could turn hostile within seconds, sparked by a single boo that grew louder as others joined in.
Amid the chaos, chants of “fuck Elon Musk” echoed through the crowd as did many inebriated boos.
Heath, a volunteer Marshal with ten years of experience, rode with Christina. As the situation worsened, he coordinated with the drivers to find an exit. The Cybertrucks, among the last units in the parade, made several attempts to leave the route. In their first interaction with police, officers seemed surprised by the request to pull out, despite Heath explaining the vehicles were being pummeled.
Multiple officers along the route directed the group to keep driving further. After repeated pleas, the Cybertrucks finally left the parade, their windows chipped and one passenger physically assaulted.
If you think assaulting my wife and vandalizing our Cybertruck is going to persuade us to join your anti-Elon or anti-Tesla views you’re sadly mistaken.
Also, SUPER impressed with how well the Cybertruck performed. Even with the B-pillar glass shattered, FSD and camera worked… pic.twitter.com/sfYB8DYw68
— Josh “Pappy” Hazel (@JEHazel75) March 4, 2025
A Global Pattern of Tesla Attacks
The New Orleans incident mirrors a broader wave of anti-Elon Musk sentiment. In recent years, Tesla properties have faced attacks, including vehicles torched in France, defacing of Tesla property around the nation, and a Tesla gallery in Salem hit by suspected arson and gunfire in January. Protests have flared from Seattle to Berlin after Musk publicly endorsed Donald Trump.
Aftermath
The Cybertrucks departed intact beyond the damaged glass and an injured passenger. For Christina and @MrMoonBound, the driver, the night was a stark contrast to the festive spirit of Mardi Gras but she was quick to point out that the vast majority of participants were good, kind people, and that the Marshals themselves were professional and doing their best to keep them and other parade attendees safe.
This was the 5th year that Teslas have participated in this parade and the parade organizers were also overwhelmingly supportive and happy to have the Tesla owners escort their Marshals.
You can watch Christina’s livestream of the parade here:
Krewe of Orpheus NOLA Parade Marshal Car 4 Orange Cybertruck in front of Float UP UP AND AWAY but it’s the crowd 🤙🏻 https://t.co/vOJKBcaZ0S
— winespring 🚀✨ (@winespringcafe) March 4, 2025
You can watch a longer in depth interview with Christina here:
Photo credit @MrMoonBound
