ICE Protestors Block 101 Freeway, Other Roads Sunday. Protestors Set Five Waymo Driverless Vehicle on Fire in Downtown Los Angeles

Update 8pm PST 6/8/25. On June 8, 2025, downtown Los Angeles experienced significant unrest related to anti-ICE protests, escalating into riots. Here’s an update based on the latest available information:

Overview: Protests against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids, prompted by the Trump administration’s push to arrest and deport undocumented immigrants, intensified on the third day. The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) declared an unlawful assembly in the area bounded by Alameda Street, Los Angeles Street, Aliso Street, and the 101 Freeway, where clashes occurred.

Vandalism and Arson: Multiple Waymo self-driving cars and other vehicles were vandalized and set on fire in downtown LA, particularly near Los Angeles Street north of the 101 Freeway. Protesters reportedly broke windows, spray-painted vehicles, and ignited at least one Waymo robotaxi, with one vehicle audibly repeating “unsafe behavior detected” during the attack. Mayor Karen Bass called for peaceful protests amid the destruction.

Road Closures: The 101 Freeway remains closed in both directions between Alameda Street and the 110 Freeway, with all on- and off-ramps affected. Los Angeles Street is closed between Temple Street and Aliso Street, and Alameda Street is closed between 2nd Street and the 101 Freeway. Authorities are urging the public to avoid these areas.

National Guard Deployment: President Trump ordered thousands of National Guard troops to Los Angeles to address the unrest, a move California Governor Gavin Newsom criticized as “unlawful.” Clashes between protesters, National Guard, and LAPD in riot gear were reported, marking a significant escalation.

Arrests and Raids: The LAPD began making arrests after declaring protests unlawful. By June 7, ICE had arrested 118 undocumented immigrants in Los Angeles, including individuals with criminal records such as sex offenders, drug dealers, and gang members, according to reports.

Sentiment and Context: The protests, which began on June 6, were fueled by opposition to ICE raids targeting undocumented immigrants. Some sources claim the unrest was exacerbated by taxpayer-funded groups, though this is not fully substantiated. Others, including local officials, argue the protests are not akin to an insurrection, rejecting comparisons to January 6. X posts describe the situation as “pure anarchy,” with allegations of organized supply of concrete bricks to rioters, though no confirmed evidence supports this claim.

Official Responses: Local officials, including Mayor Bass, have called for calm, while the National Guard’s presence has drawn criticism from state leaders. The situation remains fluid, with ongoing efforts to disperse crowds and clear the freeway.

5pm PST 6/8/25: There are reports of Waymo self-driving cars being vandalized and set on fire in downtown Los Angeles on June 7–8, 2025, amid protests. Gov. Newsom and LA Mayor Karen Bass both tried to blame Donald Trump for the leftist riots.

Multiple posts on X indicate that several Waymo robotaxis were targeted during anti-ICE protests near Los Angeles Street and the 101 Freeway. The vandalism included breaking windows, spray-painting, and setting at least 5 Waymo vehicles on fire. One post described the Waymo vehicle repeating "unsafe behavior detected" while being attacked, probably meaning that it tried to drive away from the rioters.

Context: These incidents occurred alongside broader unrest, including freeway blockages and an unlawful assembly declared in the area bounded by Alameda Street, Los Angeles Street, Aliso Street, and the 101 Freeway. The protests were primarily anti-ICE, and the vandalism of Waymo vehicles appears to be opportunistic rather than the primary focus of the demonstrations.

Location Specifics: The incidents were reported near Los Angeles Street north of the 101 Freeway, aligning with the road closures mentioned in your previous question about downtown LA intersections. No specific intersections beyond Los Angeles Street and the 101 Freeway were detailed in the reports.

Suspects and Motive: No specific individuals have been identified as responsible for the June 7–8 incidents in downtown LA. Unlike the San Francisco Waymo arson in February 2024, where a 14-year-old was identified, today's LA incidents lack detailed suspect information. Some posts speculate the vandalism reflects broader anti-technology sentiment or frustration with autonomous vehicles.

Protestors Set Waymo Driverless Vehicle on Fire in Downtown LA Sunday

As of June 8, 2025, several road closures and traffic disruptions are reported in downtown Los Angeles due to protests and events. Below is a summary of the affected intersections and roads based on recent information:

101 Freeway Closures:

The 101 Freeway is closed in both directions between Alameda Street and the 110 Freeway due to anti-ICE protesters blocking the freeway and an exit ramp. All on- and off-ramps through downtown Los Angeles are affected.

Specific closures include:

Los Angeles Street at the 101 Freeway.; Alameda Street between 2nd Street and the 101 Freeway.

Surface Street Closures: Los Angeles Street is closed between Temple Street and Aliso Street. Although it was expected to reopen soon, the situation remains fluid due to ongoing protest activity. Alameda Street is closed between 2nd Street and the 101 Freeway. Aliso Street near the 101 Freeway is also impacted, with an unlawful assembly declared in this area.

Event-Related Closures:

Although not directly in downtown, nearby Hollywood Boulevard between Argyle Avenue and 6000 Hollywood Boulevard will be closed from 11:59 PM on June 7 to 2:00 AM on June 9 for the LA Pride Village event, which may affect traffic flow into downtown.

Additional Notes:

Waymo car on fire in DTLA

Authorities have declared an unlawful assembly in the area bounded by Alameda Street, Los Angeles Street, Aliso Street, and the 101 Freeway, urging the public to avoid these locations.

The situation is dynamic, with police actively working to clear the freeway and surrounding streets. Travelers should avoid the downtown area, particularly near the 101 Freeway, until further notice.

For real-time updates, check resources like the Los Angeles Department of Transportation (ladot.lacity.gov/dotnews) or Caltrans (roads.dot.ca.gov).

Since the Ax-4 mission you asked about earlier is launching from Florida and has no direct impact on Los Angeles road conditions, these closures are unrelated to that event. If you need me to monitor X or web sources for further updates on these closures or check specific intersections, let me know!