Several Waymo self-driving vehicles were set on fire during violent protests in downtown Los Angeles on Sunday, according to social media videos and local news reports. The unrest erupted in response to immigration raids conducted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), now in their second day.
Waymo, a self-driving car company owned by Google’s parent company Alphabet Inc. (NASDAQ: GOOGL), confirmed that multiple vehicles were damaged during the demonstrations. A company spokesperson stated that while the cars were affected, there was no indication that Waymo was specifically targeted. The company is cooperating with law enforcement in ongoing investigations.
The protests drew a few hundred demonstrators angered by President Donald Trump’s intensified immigration crackdown. Over the weekend, Trump ordered the deployment of the National Guard to Los Angeles to quell the growing unrest. In a statement, he criticized California Governor Gavin Newsom for failing to contain the violence.
Other officials from the White House went further, describing the situation as a “violent insurrection.” Clashes between demonstrators and law enforcement continued into Sunday night, further escalating tensions in the city.
The incident highlights rising public unrest over immigration enforcement and raises concerns about collateral damage to private and public infrastructure. It also underscores the growing risks surrounding autonomous vehicle deployment in urban environments, especially during civil unrest.
Alphabet Inc., Waymo’s parent company, saw no immediate stock impact from the news, but ongoing developments may influence investor sentiment. As the situation in Los Angeles evolves, stakeholders in the autonomous driving and tech sectors are watching closely.