Tesla is facing a lawsuit from a group of Black employees who say they faced racism and discrimination at the company. The employees, who worked at a California Tesla location, delivered opening statements as their trial began on Monday, The Guardian reported.

What happened at the trial involving Tesla and its Black employees?

California Civil Rights Department lawyer Brett Watson presented photographic evidence as he aimed to prove how Black employees were subjected to racism at Tesla’s location in Fremont, California. One photo showed the N-word written on a metal surface at the factory. Watson also provided a series of other photos showing more hate speech written on bathrooms, lockers, benches and tables. The photos revealed various surfaces labeled with swastikas, a Confederate flag, a white supremacist logo and other derogatory marks.

Watson said the Black employees were also repeatedly subjected to racial slurs from their colleagues. One Black worker, for example, was asked if he wanted to hang from a tree, Watson said.

“Despite what Tesla might argue, you will hear Black workers were deeply offended,” Watson said. “These experiences cannot be dismissed as a few bad apples … hundreds of complaints to Tesla and [the Civil Rights Department] will show these experiences were not isolated.”

The lawyer added that Black employees experienced “rampant racism” and Tesla ignored the concerns for years. He also said employees referred to the company as a “slaveship,” “the plantation” and “The Elon Slave Labor Association.”

The lawsuit, filed in 2022, alleges that Tesla violated California’s Fair Employment and Housing Act. Per the lawsuit, Black workers were paid less than white employees and they were promoted less. They were also terminated more frequently than white workers, the complaint adds.

What did Tesla’s lawyers say in defense of the company?

Tesla’s lead lawyer, Tyree Jones, spoke up for the company during Monday’s trial. According to The Guardian, Jones said Tesla is the victim in this case because its location was riddled with graffiti.

“The most prolific employer of California is on trial and under attack by the state,” Jones said. “The state is blaming the employer, when it’s the victim.”

Tesla founder Elon Musk has not publicly addressed the case. He is not expected to stand as a witness as the trial continues, The Guardian reported.