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Waymo suspends service in parts of L.A. after its robotaxis torched

The Los Angeles Police Department also urged people to steer clear of downtown because burning lithium-ion batteries can release toxic fumes.

Driverless Waymo taxis were set on fire in Los Angeles on June 8 during anti-ICE demonstrations. (Video: Reuters)

Driverless Waymo taxis were set on fire in Los Angeles on June 8 during anti-ICE demonstrations. (Video: Reuters)

Waymo has cut off taxi service to parts of Los Angeles after five of its self-driving vehicles were torched during weekend protests about immigration raids.

Images Sunday of downtown show Waymo vehicles covered with graffiti. One photo shows protesters waving Mexican and Guatemalan flags while standing atop a Waymo vehicle, while another appears to show a protester hitting the vehicle with a skateboard. The Los Angeles Times reported that some Lime e-scooters also were tossed into the blaze.

Waymo confirmed Monday that it removed vehicles from downtown Los Angeles and is not servicing that specific area “out of an abundance of caution.”

The Los Angeles Police Department warned members of the public to stay away from the city center to avoid toxic fumes. “Burning lithium-ion batteries release toxic gases, including hydrogen fluoride, posing risks to responders and those nearby,” the agency wrote in a social media post.

Los Angeles has been embroiled in protests over the Trump administration’s immigration raids. Hundreds of National Guard troops were dispatched by the White House on Sunday in a show of force that California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) called “unconstitutional.” Although most protesters appeared peaceful, the demonstrations escalated throughout the weekend. More than 50 protesters were arrested after clashes with law enforcement.

 

It’s unclear why the protesters targeted vehicles operated by Waymo, which is owned by Google’s parent company, Alphabet.

The company said in a statement that it has “no reason to believe” it was specifically targeted. A police spokesperson said the department does not have specific information on the incidents.

The company has operated for years in San Francisco, where the white taxis are common on city streets. It started offering driverless taxi rides in Los Angeles in November 2024 after several months of testing, and reported having logged more than 5 million miles there as of December 2024, according to its website.

Leo Sands contributed to this report.

Author: Aaron Gregg

Source: The Washington Post

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