In a tense scene in Los Angeles on Sunday, demonstrators opposing the Iranian government converged on a U-Haul truck that had driven into their protest. The situation quickly escalated as the protesters shattered the truck’s windshield and used flag poles to confront the driver until law enforcement intervened and arrested the individual.
Video clips from the incident capture the dramatic moment as the crowd rushes toward the vehicle, encircling it while chanting at the person behind the wheel. The intensity of the confrontation grew as one protester climbed onto the truck, aggressively stomping on its windshield. Meanwhile, others wielded flagpoles adorned with Iranian flags, thrusting them through an open window to reach the driver.
In the midst of the chaos, a banner on the truck’s side was torn down. The banner bore a stern message in bold capital letters: “NO SHAH. NO REGIME. USA: DON’T REPEAT 1953. NO MULLAH.” This phrase reflects the protesters’ sentiments against both the Iranian regime and potential foreign interventions reminiscent of past events.
As the driver attempted to exit the vehicle from the driver’s side, tensions flared further when the crowd forcibly shut the door. The police eventually navigated through the throng of protesters, successfully detaining the man inside the truck.
Anti-Iranian regime protesters in Los Angeles swarmed a U-Haul truck that drove through the gathering on Sunday, smashing its windshield and attacking the suspect with flag poles until police arrived to take the man into custody. (Alaleh Kamran via Storyful)
As the driver tried to exit the truck through the driver-side door, the crowd could be seen pushing the door closed. Police eventually made their way through the swarm of people and took the man inside the truck into custody.
Police said the adult male driver has been detained pending further investigation. His identity has yet to be released. (Alaleh Kamran via Storyful)
The incident occurred at around 3:30 p.m. Sunday along Veteran Avenue near the Federal Building in the Westwood neighborhood, according to the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD).
Police said the adult male driver has been detained pending further investigation.
“At this time, one person was confirmed struck by the vehicle (an adult male); however, no significant injuries have been reported,” LAPD said. “A Rescue Ambulance treated the individual at the scene. No one has been transported to the hospital for medical treatment.”
A driver allegedly drove a U-Haul truck through a crowd during a Los Angeles demonstration in support of the Iranian people on Sunday. (KTTV)
Videos circulating on social media appeared to show a U-Haul truck moving quickly through a dense crowd as people screamed. In one video, a person appeared to hang onto the side of the vehicle and bang on a window as it continued moving.
Law enforcement has not yet released the driver’s identity or said what charges he may face.
Hundreds had gathered in the Westwood neighborhood as part of a march backing protesters in Iran. (KTTV)
The Iranian American Republican Council (IARC) released a statement condemning the incident as a “terrorist attack.”
“We strongly condemn this violent act and call on the appropriate authorities of the United States to conduct a full and transparent investigation and to hold those responsible fully accountable under the law,” the statement read, in part.
The protest comes amid ongoing unrest in Iran, where demonstrations that began over economic grievances have spread nationwide, evolving into a direct challenge to Iran’s clerical leadership.
The U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency reports 583 people have been killed in Iran since the unrest erupted two weeks ago.
