A distasteful display of a man making a Nazi salute from a Tesla Cybertruck has sparked widespread condemnation and online backlash. The incident unfolded at Mission Bay, San Francisco, and was captured in a video shared across social media platforms. The passenger, identified as Marco Diaz from Modesto and associated with Cyber Electric LLC, appeared to be intoxicated when he extended his arm in a salute through the vehicle's window. The clip, which went viral, also includes background audio with a homophobic slur; however, it is unclear who uttered the offensive remark.
"I deeply regret my actions in the video. I was intoxicated and reacted foolishly to provocation, but I take full responsibility," Diaz stated in a message to SFGATE. He added, explaining that provocations against him were not uncommon, "The guys recording were provoking us simply because we were driving a Cybertruck." While Diaz maintains the gesture does not align with his beliefs, he acknowledges the hurt it has caused and apologizes for his actions, per The San Francisco Standard.
As a result of the circulation and condemnation of the video, the online presence of Diaz's company has been seriously affected. Cyber Electric faced many one-star reviews on Yelp, and their social media accounts have been deactivated. Yelp has taken measures to restrict comments to ensure they are based on genuine experiences, as the site's representatives confirmed to SFGATE via email. "For Yelp to remain a useful resource to the community, reviews must be based on a genuine, firsthand experience with the business," the spokesperson advised, noting that the page will be moderated and restored once the influx of feedback subsides.
Instances of discrimination and expressions of hate, such as those seen in this video, have significant repercussions, extending beyond the immediate participants. Despite Diaz's claim that he was reacting to being targeted for driving a Cybertruck and his apparent intoxication, the community's response to the incident illustrates a low tolerance for such behavior. "This is deeply abhorrent behavior and a reflection of the company's values and beliefs," the person who shared the video lamented on social media, per SFGATE.
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