Los Angeles— Waymo, Google's autonomous ride‑hail service, has suspended operations in downtown Los Angeles as of June 10, 2025, after anti‑ICE protesters vandalized and set ablaze at least five vehicle units during weekend demonstrations.
The move reflects growing tensions in LA over federal immigration policies and the safety risks for high‑tech autonomous vehicles amid civil unrest.
Key Facts:
- Waymo pulled all robotaxis from downtown LA on June 10 after five vehicles were torched and graffiti‑tagged during protests.
- Over 4,100 National Guard troops and 700 Marines have been deployed to the city since June 7, with protests spanning multiple blocks and more than 100 arrests.
- The CPUC suspended further Waymo expansion in the region amid safety concerns, while local authorities evaluate the unfolding situation.
Waymo’s suspension unfolded amid growing unrest. Protesters, mobilized after ICE raids targeted union leaders and undocumented immigrants, clashed with law enforcement across downtown LA starting June 6.
The situation escalated by June 9, with demonstrators torching robotaxis and spray‑painting slogans. Waymo made the decision to halt service in coordination with the LAPD, though its fleet continues to run in peripheral areas.
Local residents and tech analysts voiced concerns over Waymo’s perceived ties to law enforcement.
Protestors view these vehicles as surveillance tools: autonomous cars fitted with cameras, often ostensibly providing law enforcement data.
This sentiment contributed to the backlash and violent targeting of Waymo units.
Meanwhile, some downtown commuters described the downtown pullback as both a safety measure and a growing digital divide in crisis zones.
Beyond immediate safety, the suspension raises broader implications.
The incident underlines tensions between automated transport innovation and social justice activism, spotlighting how self‑driving vehicles can become flashpoints in politically charged environments.
Military deployment in response to civil protest also raises critical debates about state authority, free speech, and technology’s role in such conflicts.
Historically, LA had welcomed Waymo’s rollout in 2024, but safety and civil concerns have now stalled further expansion.
With the CPUC reviewing expansion plans until mid‑June and protests still active, Waymo’s future downtown presence remains uncertain—even as automation shapes urban transit policy nationwide .
“Vehicle autonomy doesn’t mean immunity from civil unrest,” an urban mobility expert told Reuters, emphasizing that advanced technology cannot insulate from social and political upheaval.
Waymo’s downtown LA pullback amplifies the complex intersection of protest, policy, and technology.
Watch for CPUC findings by June 19 on expansion, and expect tech companies to reassess deployment in high‑tension zones.
Communities and commuters should monitor service area notices and public safety advisories as tensions persist.
Do You Know?
Although lithium‑ion batteries power these vehicles, burning them—as seen in downtown LA—releases toxic fumes that can linger long after flames die, posing health risks to passersby and first responders.
Key Terms:
ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement): U.S. federal agency conducting deportation and cross‑border law enforcement—protests erupted after ICE raids targeted undocumented workers.
Robotaxi: A self‑driving taxi that operates without a human driver; Waymo’s fleet falls under this category.
CPUC (California Public Utilities Commission): Regulatory body that oversees public utilities and emerging transport services; it’s currently reviewing Waymo’s local expansion plans.