• Waymo suspended operations in downtown LA after five of its cars were set ablaze during protests.
• The protests were primarily against recent immigration raids led by ICE and escalated due to federal troop deployment.
• No injuries were reported, and the company believes its vehicles were not directly targeted.

Waymo has paused its robotaxi service in downtown Los Angeles following the vandalism and burning of five vehicles during protests against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) actions. These incidents occurred amidst increased tensions after President Trump's announcement to deploy U.S. National Guard troops to Los Angeles, which California Governor Gavin Newsom has criticized as illegal. Despite these events, the protests have largely remained peaceful, according to reports from various sources, though clashes did occur at times, according to Business Insider and Los Angeles Times.

Videos circulating on social media captured the disturbing scenes of Waymo electric cars engulfed in flames, with many of the vehicles suffering extensive damage. A spokesperson for Waymo confirmed the company is operating in other areas of Los Angeles and initially responded to the vandalism by stating, "We do not believe our vehicles were intentionally targeted, but rather happened to be present during the protests," as reported by CBS News and India Times.

In addition to the attack on Waymo vehicles, protesters also vandalized and looted multiple businesses, including popular retail locations in downtown Los Angeles. Video footage confirmed the chaotic nature of the protests, leading the LAPD to advise store owners to document any damage. "Please photograph all vandalism and damage prior to clean up," the department commented on social media, as noted in reports from CBS News and Los Angeles Times.