Protesters summon, burn Waymo robotaxis in Los Angeles after ICE raids

https://arstechnica.com/cars/2025/06/robotaxis-burn-in-los-angeles-in-backlash-to-immigration-raids/

Jonathan M. Gitlin Jun 09, 2025 · 1 min read
Protesters summon, burn Waymo robotaxis in Los Angeles after ICE raids
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The robotaxi company Waymo has suspended service in some parts of Los Angeles after some of its vehicles were summoned and then vandalized by protesters angry with ongoing raids by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Five of Waymo's autonomous Jaguar I-Pace electric vehicles were summoned downtown to the site of anti-ICE protests, at which point they were vandalized with slashed tires and spray-painted messages. Three were set on fire.

The Los Angeles Police Department warned people to avoid the area due to risks from toxic gases given off by burning EVs. And Waymo told Ars that it is "in touch with law enforcement" regarding the matter.

The protesters in Los Angeles were outraged after ICE, using brutal tactics, began detaining people in raids across the city. Thousands of Angelenos took to the streets over the weekend to confront the masked federal enforcers and, in some cases, forced them away.

In response, the Trump administration mobilized more than 300 National Guard soldiers without consulting with or being requested to do so by the California governor.

California Governor Gavin Newsom has promised to sue the administration. "Donald Trump has created the conditions you see on your TV tonight. He’s exacerbated the conditions. He's, you know, lit the proverbial match. He's putting fuel on this fire, ever since he announced he was taking over the National Guard—an illegal act, an immoral act, an unconstitutional act," Newsom said in an interview.