5 self-driving taxis set ablaze over Ice Raids!
Los Angeles, US, June 8 (EFE).-
Tensions escalated in Los Angeles on Sunday night with the burning of at least five self-driving taxis near where a peaceful demonstration against immigration raids and the deployment of US National Guard troops was taking place.
On Friday, the administration of President Donald Trump deployed 2,000 California National Guard troops to counter largely peaceful protests, which had already been controlled and did not pose any security concerns, and without authorization from the state governor, prompting agitation, and condemnation from authorities and civil rights groups.
On Sunday, the massive protests continued with tensions inflamed.
A group of people dispersed by police from the main demonstration headed to another road and attacked public transportation vehicles traveling through the iconic Olvera Square, the city’s founding point.
The self-driving taxis from Waymo, a tech company owned by Alphabet, were empty and did not endanger anyone.
Several Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) patrol cars parked on the 101 freeway were also vandalized by a group of hooded youths who were then dispersed with tear gas.
The small groups of protesters, who spray-painted the federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) buildings in protest of their raids, also deflated the tires of parked vehicles.
The incident occurred shortly after LAPD officers cleared a major freeway, which protesters had taken over to express their message of opposition to the federal government’s measures.
At a press conference, LA Mayor Karen Bass appeared visibly frustrated, saying “we do not need to see our city torn apart.”
Bass also said she has held talks with White House officials to secure the withdrawal of National Guard troops, who were deployed by the Trump administration after the targeted protests that were brought under control.
“Deploying federalized troops is a dangerous escalation, but we need to be real about this. This is about another agenda. It’s not about public safety. There’s clearly no plan, and there is clearly no policy,” said Bass.
The mayor assured everyone who calls LA home that she will defend them, but condemned the violence stemming from the protests. She also warned of consequences to violence and taking control of freeways.
Governor Gavin Newsom earlier said he had made a formal request to the Trump administration to rescind the “unlawful” deployment of troops.
“We didn’t have a problem until Trump got involved,” Newsom said in a post on X. “This is a serious breach of state sovereignty — inflaming tensions while pulling resources from where they’re actually needed. Rescind the order. Return control to California.” EFE amv/tw
