The South Fayette Police Department is advising the public traveling on Route 50 near Interstate 79 Saturday to “use extra caution” with a protest planned near a Tesla dealership.
Police say the “permitted event” is scheduled from 9:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. in front of The Gateway Shops and Foremost Auto site on Route 50 near Newbury drive.
Police Chief John Phoennik tells KDKA Radio they believe it’s part of a nationwide demonstration against the auto manufacturer owned by billionaire Elon Musk.
Musk has become a controversial and is part of President Donald Trump’s administration the head of the newly established Department of Government Efficiency.
Phoennik tells KDKA Radio that they expect around 60 people to protest and have been alerted of the demonstration by the protestors.
He adds their concern is a group of counter protesters that are planning on showing up.
“We don’t want to interfere with anything they’re doing, they have their right to do it,” said Phoennik. “both sides, regardless of what side of politics you’re one.”
But if something would happen, Chief Phoennik says they have plans in place.
A permit to protest is not required because where they will demonstrate is public property.
Phoennik says with all the national attention and stories the Tesla protests are getting, they want to be ready just in case, but they expect a peaceful demonstration.