During protests against the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Los Angeles, five Waymo robotaxis were set on fire, symbolizing dissent against immigration tactics. Although it was suggested that protestors summoned the vehicles, sources indicate the cars were present coincidentally. Waymo's spokesperson confirmed cooperation with law enforcement, though the LAPD remained vague about details. The incident reflects growing tensions regarding immigration policies and tech's role in surveillance, as seen in previous protests when similar vehicles were targeted for their perceived association with authority.
In the past, Waymo has reportedly given car footage to the police in investigations, just as Ring and other consumer camera systems have, although Amazon now requires a warrant.
While it's possible some protestors knew about this and were targeting the cars as a preventative tactic, it's more likely just an outpouring of anger against a symbol of authority.
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