Waymo—Waymo suspended service in San Francisco and Los Angeles after robotaxis vandalized during ICE protests
In June 2025, Waymo suspended service in parts of San Francisco and Los Angeles after multiple robotaxis were vandalized during protests against ICE activities and the Trump administration. The vehicles had become symbolic targets of resistance to the tech industry's perceived close ties to the Trump administration. Earlier in February 2024, a Waymo was set on fire in SF's Chinatown during Lunar New Year celebrations. The incidents reflect growing community tension over the presence of autonomous vehicles in urban neighborhoods.
Scoring Impact
| Topic | Direction | Relevance | Contribution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Infrastructure Accountability | -against | secondary | -0.50 |
| Overall incident score = | -0.032 | ||
Score = avg(topic contributions) × significance (medium ×1) × confidence (0.64)× agency (incidental ×0.1)
Evidence (2 signals)
SF Chronicle analyzed why Waymo robotaxis became symbolic targets during California ICE protests
The San Francisco Chronicle reported on the broader context of Waymo vehicles becoming symbols of tech industry ties to the Trump administration during ICE protests. Activist Elise Joshi was quoted saying destroyed robot taxis are 'symbolic of the attempts, throughout the history of this country, by the tech industry to strip us of community.'
Waymo suspended service in SF and LA after robotaxis vandalized during ICE protests
SFist reported that Waymo suspended service in parts of San Francisco and Los Angeles on June 9, 2025, after multiple robotaxis were vandalized during protests against ICE activities and the Trump administration. Vehicles were spray-painted and damaged in both cities.