Los Angeles CA — June 2025
Tensions flared in downtown Los Angeles over the weekend as protests escalated into violent clashes between demonstrators and law enforcement Among the more dramatic developments several Waymo autonomous vehicles were reportedly set ablaze during the turmoil drawing attention to growing public unrest and deepening concerns about technology policing and urban safety .
The Incident
On Saturday evening a demonstration that began as a peaceful protest turned chaotic as crowds moved into the heart of downtown Protesters expressing a range of grievances from police accountability to the unchecked expansion of surveillance technology were met with a strong police presence As clashes intensified several Waymo self driving vehicles became targets of the unrest .
According to eyewitness accounts and videos circulating on social media at least two Waymo cars were torched near a major intersection Flames and thick smoke billowed into the night sky as crowds gathered around the vehicles some cheering others documenting the event The Los Angeles Fire Department responded promptly to extinguish the blazes and no injuries related to the vehicle fires were immediately reported .
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Waymo’s Response
Waymo a subsidiary of Alphabet Inc and a leader in autonomous vehicle technology issued a brief statement following the incident The company expressed concern over the destruction of its property and emphasized its commitment to public safety and cooperation with local authorities .
We are deeply troubled by the events in downtown Los Angeles the statement read Our priority remains the safety of our passengers the public and our team We are working with the authorities to understand what happened and to ensure the safety of our fleet .
Waymo did not specify how many vehicles were damaged or the estimated cost of the losses .
Protest Dynamics and Underlying Tensions
Saturdays protest was one of several that have erupted in US cities in recent months fueled by a mix of social economic and technological concerns In Los Angeles activists have raised alarms over what they describe as the increasing militarization of public spaces and the erosion of privacy through widespread surveillance including that enabled by self driving cars and other smart technologies .
Critics of autonomous vehicles argue that these machines while innovative symbolize broader systemic issues including job displacement algorithmic bias and the commodification of public streets for private gain .
Clashes between protesters and police grew particularly intense as authorities attempted to disperse the crowd Officers deployed crowd control measures including tear gas and rubber bullets while demonstrators responded by setting fire to objects including the Waymo vehicles .
City Officials React
Mayor Karen Bass condemned the violence while acknowledging the demonstrators right to protest While we support peaceful assembly and the right to express dissent the destruction of property and endangerment of lives cannot be tolerated she said during a press conference on Sunday morning .
Police Chief Dominic Choi announced an investigation into the incident and stated that multiple arrests had been made in connection with the unrest He added that surveillance footage and eyewitness testimonies would be used to identify those responsible for the arson .
Looking Ahead
The incident underscores growing tensions at the intersection of civil liberties emerging technologies and law enforcement As cities like Los Angeles continue to adopt smart technologies questions about regulation oversight and public accountability remain front and center .