A U-Haul box truck drove into a crowd of protestors during a demonstration in support of the Iranian people against the Iranian Regime in Los Angeles, Sunday afternoon.
The incident occurred in Westwood, a neighborhood in Los Angeles, in what local TV stations described as a chaotic scene as demonstrators proceeded to get out of the vehicle’s way and subsequently chased it in attempts to attack the driver.
Los Angeles police responded and surrounded the vehicle several blocks away. In a statement issued Sunday evening, police confirmed the driver was detained “pending further investigation.”
ABC7 News helicopter video shows marchers swarming the truck, climbing on the hood and windshield as others attempt to pull the driver out of the vehicle through the truck’s broken doors and windows, caused by protesters’ flagpoles and punches.
Footage also shows a banner attached to the U-Haul with a message in both Arabic and English stating “No Shah. No Regime. USA: Don’t Repeat 1953. No Mullah.” The sign is a reference to the 1953 U.S.-backed coup that deposed Prime Minister Mohammad Mossadegh.
Police additionally confirmed that no victims sustained serious injuries, stating that one person was hit by the truck. The Los Angeles Fire Department also attested to the evaluation of two individuals by paramedics who declined to receive treatment.
U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli responded to the incident on X, affirming that the FBI is investigating the incident.
"FBI is on scene working with LAPD to determine the motive of the driver. This is an active investigation, and we will update the public when we have more information," he said.
The protest in Los Angeles arises as mass protests in Iran against the regime have led to hundreds of deaths. According to data gathered by the U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency on Sunday, the group has confirmed the deaths of 490 protestors and 48 security personnel.
