In a horrifying attack on American innovation, radical leftist demonstrators set fire to Waymo self-driving cars in downtown Los Angeles, causing damage worth almost $1 million. In a concerted assault, the anti-ICE rioters slashed tires, broke windows, and even used homemade flamethrowers to target these driverless cars. Waymo has been forced to halt all operations in the region due to this lawless destruction, providing yet another illustration of how unbridled liberal activism is endangering American technological advancement.
Liberal Extremists Attack American Technology
Anti-ICE protesters unleashed a wave of destruction against Waymo’s autonomous vehicle fleet in downtown Los Angeles, forcing the company to halt all operations in the area. The coordinated attacks damaged at least five self-driving cars, with protesters slashing tires, smashing windows, and spray-painting anti-ICE messages across the vehicles.
Waymo just suspended service in Los Angeles after leftist rioters torched their vehicles.
But don’t worry, Gavin Newsom says he has it all under control and the media say it’s peaceful. pic.twitter.com/2U85Ml5tYe
— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) June 9, 2025
The rioters escalated their violent tactics by tearing doors off the vehicles and using a makeshift flamethrower to set car interiors ablaze. The Los Angeles Police Department warned about the dangers of burning lithium-ion batteries, which release toxic gases that threaten public health and safety.
Massive Damage to American Innovation
The estimated cost of damages to the five Waymo vehicles ranges between $750,000 and $1 million, dealing a significant blow to technological progress in the transportation sector. Waymo, which began as the Google Self-Driving Project before being rebranded in 2016 under Alphabet Inc., represents American ingenuity and leadership in autonomous vehicle technology.
🚨 BREAKING: WAYMO has just shut down ALL self-driving taxi operations in downtown Los Angeles after their vehicles were targeted and BURNED by rioters.
They asked for this. pic.twitter.com/TpLaG7ed2k
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) June 9, 2025
The company has been forced to prioritize the safety of its employees and assets by immediately suspending services throughout downtown Los Angeles. Law enforcement officials are currently investigating these targeted attacks, which appear to be motivated by misplaced anger against federal immigration enforcement policies.
Lawlessness in Liberal-Run Cities
This incident highlights the growing problem of unchecked radical activism in Democrat-controlled cities like Los Angeles. The brazen nature of these attacks, carried out openly in public spaces, demonstrates the emboldening of extremist groups who face little accountability for the destruction of private property.
Waymo has expressed hope for a swift resolution that will enable the resumption of services in a secure environment, but the damage has already been done to investor confidence. The company’s autonomous vehicles represent a significant American investment in future transportation technologies that create jobs and maintain our competitive edge against foreign competitors.
These attacks on autonomous vehicles come when American technology companies face increased regulatory pressures and competition from China and other nations. The destruction of nearly $1 million worth of advanced technology by domestic protesters only serves to undermine America’s position as a global leader in innovation.
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