On a tumultuous Sunday evening in downtown Los Angeles, a series of self-driving Waymo vehicles fell victim to vandalism, as they were spray-painted and set ablaze amidst escalating protests against the Trump administration’s immigration law enforcement. This incident marked the third day of demonstrations, reflecting the rising tensions surrounding illegal immigration policies.
As the flames flickered on screen during a live broadcast, U.S. Representative Judy Chu (D-CA) confidently assured MSNBC viewers that the LAPD had the situation under control. One can’t help but wonder: was she watching a different broadcast?
JUST IN: California Rep. Judy Chu (D) says the LAPD has the situation in Los Angeles under control as MSNBC plays a split screen of multiple cars on fire.
Don’t believe your lying eyes, folks. pic.twitter.com/z9lJUIuigZ
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) June 9, 2025
Footage from KTTV-TV showed rioters posing with a Mexican flag, underscoring the charged atmosphere of the ongoing protests:
Multiple driverless Waymo vehicles were set on fire by agitators near the ongoing downtown LA protests. The fires come as the anti-ICE demonstrations taking place across LA County enters Day 3 https://t.co/CFrch1fuxE pic.twitter.com/vS0webqNpb
— FOX 11 Los Angeles (@FOXLA) June 9, 2025
Further updates from reporter Sawyer Merritt indicated that the damaged Waymo vehicles amounted to a staggering total value of over $600,000:
NEWS: Multiple self-driving Waymo cars, collectively worth upwards of $600,000, were vandalized by protesters today in Los Angeles. pic.twitter.com/JtAlHqbTNP
— Sawyer Merritt (@SawyerMerritt) June 9, 2025
CalMatters reporter Sergio Olmos captured the chaotic scene, emphasizing the scale of the destruction:
Multiple Waymo’s on fire pic.twitter.com/uSiBDPQHwG
— Sergio Olmos (@MrOlmos) June 9, 2025
In a related post, RawsAlerts reported on the extensive damage and the LAPD’s urgent request for Waymo to disable its self-driving app in light of the chaos:
#BREAKING: Multiple self-driving Waymo cars, collectively worth upwards of $600,000 each have been destroyed and light on fire by rioters
At this time, Los Angeles police are urgently requesting Waymo to shut down its self-driving car app as… pic.twitter.com/eU4ANqPfyt
— R A W S A L E R T S (@rawsalerts) June 9, 2025
As the situation escalated, Los Angeles police issued warnings to both the media and protesters about potential health hazards from the burning lithium-ion batteries, which release toxic gases:
⚠️ 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
