WEEK OF MARCH 27, 2025
VOLUME 105 | ISSUE 5
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Judge mulls ruling on bus aide accused of hurting kids BY ISABEL GUZMAN ISABEL@COTLN.ORG
Protesters hold signs that read “impeach Trump, deport Musk” and “Tank Tesla” at the Tesla showroom on Littleton Boulevard and Broadway on March 15. PHOTO BY ISABEL GUZMAN
Protesters target Tesla on Broadway Events are planned through end of April in opposition to Elon Musk BY ISABEL GUZMAN ISABEL@COTLN.ORG
Protests against Tesla and its CEO Elon Musk are gaining momentum worldwide as part of the “Tesla Takedown” movement. Demonstrators have been gathering outside Tesla dealerships — including the one at Broadway and Littleton Boulevard — where protests have occurred regularly on Saturdays and Tuesdays since
February. The movement targets Musk’s political actions, particularly his collaboration with the Trump administration and his leadership in the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Critics argue that Musk has illegal access to private data on people and companies, and his influence has contributed to mass layoffs of federal workers and the dismantling of key government agencies, fueling widespread public backlash. “Elon Musk has infiltrated our government agencies and fired thousands of workers without cause,” said Lynne Popkowski, a protest organizer for the “Tesla
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Takedown” movement locally. “He has threatened to cut services that people rely on for their livelihood and well-being, but his billion-dollar contracts remain intact.” On March 15, roughly 150 people lined the sidewalks outside the Tesla dealerhip at Broadway and Littleton Boulevard, holding signs that read, “Pull the plug on Musk,” and “Fight fascism, boycott Tesla.” The protesters also walked across crosswalks, carrying signs for the drivers at stoplights to see. As witnessed by the Littleton Independent on March 15, for roughly every 100 solidarity honks from passing
cars — some of the honks came from Teslas — was one dissenting passerby car where drivers hollered back at protesters with remarks like “Make America great again.” “He is bypassing Congress to line his own pockets and must be stopped. And hurting Tesla stock will help stop Musk,” Popkowski said. More than 80 demonstrations were scheduled for Saturday, March 22, globally, with an additional 70 planned through the end of April, according to the “Tesla Takedown” website. The movement urges people to “sell your Teslas, divest your stock and join the picket lines.”
Parents of alleged victims in a case that accuses a former Littleton Public Schools paraprofessional of child abuse are frustrated that court proceedings are delayed again. Kiarra Jones is facing numerous felony and misdemeanor charges related to her alleged abuse of children who are nonverbal and autistic during bus rides to and from The Joshua School, a private nonprofit facility in Englewood that specializes in education and therapy for individuals with autism spectrum disorder. Jones had a preliminary hearing on March 18, during which Jones’ defense requested to submit a written argument on whether a 13th charge against Jones – a class 3 felony charge of child abuse causing serious bodily injury – should be bound over to trial. Judge LaQunya Baker granted this request with a deadline of April 1, and also allowed the district attorney to respond to the written argument by April 8. “Now we have a delayed ruling, which was definitely frustrating,” said Britney Yarbourgh, the parent of an alleged victim in the case, on March 18. “I was really hoping to come out today with a ruling and move this forward.” Jones’ other 12 charges are: • Counts 1–9: at-risk assault in the third degree, class 6 felonies. SEE RULING, P4
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