A peaceful protest in downtown Los Angeles took a disastrous turn on Sunday, June 8, 2025, when demonstrators flooded the 101 Freeway, leading to violent confrontations with law enforcement. The chaos resulted in injuries, arrests, vandalism, and fires. At least one KTLA news van was vandalized with graffiti during a live broadcast. By 6 p.m., dark smoke filled the air above downtown as five Waymo autonomous vehicles were set ablaze on North Los Angeles Street near Arcadia Street. Some vehicles were still engulfed in flames, while others were charred from the fire.
The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) responded by indefinitely closing Los Angeles Street between Arcadia and Alameda streets and declaring an unlawful assembly in the area. Officers ordered the crowd to disperse as protesters used chairs and garbage bins to block the street. “Our partners with LAFD are attempting to enter the area to extinguish the fire,” the LAPD’s Central Division posted on social media. They also warned of the dangers posed by burning lithium-ion batteries, which release toxic gases like hydrogen fluoride, posing risks to responders and bystanders.
The destruction of the Waymo vehicles could result in significant financial losses. According to a 2024 Wall Street Journal report, analysts estimated that each Waymo driverless car costs between $150,000 and $200,000. The damage to the five burned vehicles could range from $750,000 to $1 million. A Waymo spokesperson confirmed that they were in touch with law enforcement and stated, “We have no reason to believe that these protests are related to Waymo.”
The incident highlighted the intense confrontation between protesters and authorities in a historic area of downtown Los Angeles, near Olvera Street. The LAPD’s efforts to manage the situation were complicated by the protesters’ actions, which included blocking streets and setting fires. The community remains on edge as the situation continues to unfold.
