Los Angeles Protests Target Waymo Robotaxis and Lime E-Scooters
Rising Tensions Amid Immigration Enforcement Demonstrations
Downtown Los Angeles experienced a wave of unrest over teh weekend as protests erupted in response to recent immigration enforcement operations.During these events,demonstrators intentionally damaged several Waymo autonomous vehicles and Lime electric scooters,with some being set on fire.
Destruction of autonomous Vehicles and E-Scooters
On Sunday night, protesters vandalized five Waymo self-driving cars parked along Los Angeles Street. The attackers punctured tires, smashed windows, sprayed anti-ICE graffiti on the exteriors, and ignited fires inside the vehicles. Witnesses reported that the robotaxis responded by honking their horns concurrently amid the chaos.
Lime e-scooters were also targeted; some were thrown into burning remains of Waymo’s Jaguar I-Pace models. Authorities cautioned that setting lithium-ion batteries ablaze releases toxic gases like hydrogen fluoride, which pose notable health hazards to those nearby.
Mysterious Reasons Behind attacks on Robotaxis
The motivation for focusing on Waymo’s fleet is not fully understood. However, law enforcement agencies have previously used footage from robotaxi cameras to assist in criminal investigations. As an example,earlier this year in San Francisco,police released video evidence from a Waymo vehicle related to a hit-and-run incident.
Company Responses and legal Measures
Waymo confirmed ongoing communication with LAPD officials regarding these attacks and plans to pursue legal action against individuals responsible for damaging its property in Los Angeles. The company has not yet revealed weather it will share surveillance footage from its vehicles to help identify those involved.
Lime has remained silent publicly about any damage or involvement of their scooters during these disturbances.
Impact on Service Availability After vandalism Episodes
Social media reports indicate that due to safety concerns following repeated vandalism incidents since launching its ride-hailing service last November 2024 in los Angeles,Waymo may have temporarily suspended operations there. Similar attacks occurred earlier this year; notably in July 2024 when multiple charges were filed against an individual who damaged numerous Waymos across san Francisco over several days.
The Wider Backdrop: Citywide Protests Sparked by Immigration Raids
The protests began around June 6 as a reaction against aggressive ICE raids resulting in more than 100 immigrant arrests across various LA neighborhoods. Over subsequent days, demonstrations spread into areas such as Paramount and Compton while intermittently blocking major highways-some gatherings remained peaceful while others escalated into violent clashes.
Tensions Heightened by Federal Military Deployment
The federal government responded by deploying up to 300 National Guard troops under presidential orders aimed at restoring order amid escalating confrontations between protesters and law enforcement-a move strongly opposed by California state leaders who viewed it as an infringement upon state sovereignty.
“The deployment represents a serious breach of state sovereignty,” stated Governor Gavin Newsom when formally requesting troop withdrawal.
The Defense Secretary also expressed readiness to deploy Marine forces if unrest continues spreading throughout affected communities.
LAPD Clashes with Protesters Documented Online
User-recorded videos circulating online show intense encounters between LAPD officers wielding batons and firing rubber bullets at anti-ICE demonstrators-and even journalists covering the events-raising growing concerns about civil rights violations during these volatile moments.
