Disrupt Tesla stated that around 800 people took part in the protest which it organized over the expansion of the factory set to take place. Activists have argued the expansion will damage the environment surrounding the factory.
"We are here today to draw attention to the Tesla factory in Grunheide for the environmental destruction here," Disrupt Tesla spokesperson Ole Becker told Reuters.
The moment participants stormed the plant was caught on video. The majority of the crowd was dressed in dark clothing and many donned face masks and head coverings. They could be seen rising towards the white building en masse, with some holding hands.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk took to his social media platform X to condemn the protest-turned-riot.
"Why do the police let the left-wing protestors off so easily?" he wrote, adding that their attempt to break the barriers of the factory wasn't successful.
German police confirmed that they were able to block rioters attempting to storm onto the plant's premises and that several were taken into custody. They also reported a few injuries from the incident.
"We protect the freedom of assembly," Brandenburg police spokesperson Mario Heinemann said, "but we are also responsible for public order and safety. That means we will also intervene when necessary."
This comes after far-left extremists allegedly conducted an arson attack on the factory in March, also in protest of the expansion. Around 100 were reported to have been camping out in a forest around the factory.
