NEWS JUST NOW: Waymo Suspends Service In Parts of SF and LA After Its Cars Were Vandalized In ICE Protests for……. view more

Waymo Suspends Service in Parts of San Francisco and Los Angeles Following Vandalism Amidst ICE Protests

Waymo, Alphabet’s autonomous vehicle subsidiary, has temporarily halted its robotaxi services in select areas of San Francisco and Los Angeles after several of its self-driving cars were vandalized and set ablaze during large-scale protests against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations.

Incidents in Los Angeles

On Sunday, June 8, 2025, over 2,000 demonstrators gathered in downtown Los Angeles to protest federal immigration raids. The unrest escalated when rioters set fire to at least five Waymo vehicles, releasing toxic fumes from the burning lithium-ion batteries. The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) responded with riot gear and gas canisters, resulting in the arrest of at least 27 individuals.

In response, Waymo suspended its services in downtown Los Angeles as a safety measure. The company emphasized that the attacks were not specifically targeted at its vehicles but were part of the broader unrest. (Previous Vandalism in San Francisco

This is not the first instance of vandalism against Waymo vehicles in California. In February 2024, a Waymo car was set on fire in San Francisco’s Chinatown during Lunar New Year celebrations. The vehicle was surrounded by a crowd, its windows smashed, and a firework was thrown inside, igniting the blaze. No injuries were reported in that incident.(

Additionally, in October 2024, several Waymo robotaxis were vandalized in San Francisco, with individuals tagging and throwing items at the autonomous vehicles. Broader Implications

The recent events underscore growing public concerns over surveillance and privacy associated with autonomous vehicles. Waymo’s cars are equipped with numerous cameras and sensors, leading to fears that data collected could be exploited by law enforcement agencies.

In response to the escalating tensions, California Attorney General Rob Bonta and Governor Gavin Newsom announced lawsuits against President Trump over the federal deployment of 2,000 National Guard troops to Los Angeles without the state’s request, marking the first use of such federal authority since 1965.

As protests continue across California, the safety of autonomous vehicles and the broader implications for privacy and civil liberties remain pressing concerns.