Waymo, the company behind self-driving robotaxis and owned by Alphabet, has stopped its operations in downtown Los Angeles after several of its vehicles were set on fire during intense protests. The suspension took effect Monday after five of Waymo’s cars were damaged during demonstrations against federal immigration raids that took place over the weekend. Protesters vandalized and burned the vehicles during a heated clash with law enforcement, prompting Waymo to pull back service in that part of the city.
Waymo Vehicles Burned During Weekend Protests
Late Sunday afternoon, protest activity escalated in the Fashion District of downtown Los Angeles. Around 5 p.m., video clips taken by bystanders showed Waymo vehicles burning on Los Angeles Street between Arcadia and Alameda streets. The electric robotaxis were attacked by demonstrators who slashed tires, shattered glass, and spray-painted slogans critical of Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Soon after, some of the vehicles were set on fire. Sparks were seen flying from the battery systems, which are powered by lithium-ion packs. According to the Los Angeles Police Department, firefighters at the scene allowed the vehicles to burn out rather than risk exposure to dangerous gases released during battery fires.
Waymo stated that its cars were not the main target of the protest but were in the area when the violence broke out. A spokesperson explained that the cars were likely called to the protest site through the Waymo app before being attacked. The company is now working with law enforcement to review the events and prevent future issues.
Protests Sparked by ICE Raids and Federal Troop Deployment
The protests began on Friday after ICE agents began operations in the Fashion District, an area with many immigrant-owned businesses. Tensions grew quickly after President Trump ordered 2,000 National Guard troops into the city on Saturday. The deployment was carried out without permission from California Governor Gavin Newsom, who announced on Monday that the state would take legal action against the federal government.
In a statement on X (formerly Twitter), Newsom said the president’s order wasn’t just about California, but set a new path that could let the federal government override state decisions in any part of the country.
The White House quickly responded. Press Secretary Abigail Jackson blamed Newsom for the unrest, saying that his lack of leadership allowed the situation in Los Angeles to spiral. She argued that the chaos showed a failure to support law enforcement and protect public safety.
Past Attacks on Waymo Vehicles
This is not the first time Waymo’s driverless vehicles have been damaged in California. Earlier this year, a Waymo car was set on fire during Lunar New Year celebrations in San Francisco. In another incident last July, a person in Castro Valley was arrested for damaging 17 Waymo cars over the course of three days.
Waymo currently runs more than 300 cars in Los Angeles and operates in a 79-square-mile service area that includes neighborhoods like Santa Monica, Echo Park, and parts of downtown. The company launched service in Los Angeles in November, following its earlier rollouts in Phoenix and San Francisco.
The recent vandalism marks one of the most serious interruptions to its operations since its launch in the city. For now, Waymo says it will continue serving other parts of Los Angeles, but downtown service remains paused.
Growing Questions About Safety and Public Reaction
This event has raised more concerns about how the public interacts with driverless technology in areas where political or social unrest is ongoing. Waymo cars are easy to spot and have become targets in past incidents, even when not directly involved in the events at hand.
It also adds pressure on both local leaders and tech companies to plan better for how new technology works during moments of public unrest. For Waymo, the next steps will likely include closer work with law enforcement and local officials to decide how to keep operations going safely in complex urban areas.
