Several Waymo autonomous taxis were vandalized and set on fire Sunday during a protest against the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids in Los Angeles and the Trump administration’s deployment of National Guard into the region.
What the vehicles were doing there—who sent them, and why—is thus far unknown. Viral videos posted to social media show demonstrators climbing atop the self-driving taxis, smashing windows, and spray-painting the sides of the taxis. At least five vehicles were severely damaged and set on fire as the protest escalated on Sunday evening, according to a report by KTLA.
this is even sadder when you realize Waymo’s are endangered and this is 1/10th of all the remaining ones https://t.co/RbsXvnrka0
— sucks (@powerbottomdad1) June 9, 2025
As the electric vehicles burned, officials warned that the chemicals in the cars’ batteries could release toxic fumes.
⚠️ Traffic Advisory⚠️ To our media partners, demonstrators and others who may enter the area of Los Angeles St, North of Arcadia and South of Alameda:
Burning lithium-ion batteries release toxic gases, including hydrogen fluoride, posing risks to responders and those nearby.…
— LAPD Central Division (@LAPDCentral) June 9, 2025
While Waymo appeared to scale back its operations in the Los Angeles area on the Waymo app, the company said it is being cautious with further deployments.
“Waymo is still operating in Los Angeles,” a spokesperson told Decrypt. “However, out of an abundance of caution, given the recent activity, we removed vehicles from Downtown Los Angeles and will not be serving that specific area of LA at the moment.” The spokesperson noted that Waymo did not appear to be the target of the attacks.
Waymo said it was working with local authorities in the aftermath of the incident. The Los Angeles Police Department did not respond to Decrypt’s request for comment.
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