A U-Haul truck accelerated into a crowd of demonstrators protesting the Iranian government in Los Angeles, leaving one person with minor injuries and the driver in police custody.
At a Glance
- A U-Haul truck sped down a street filled with protesters on Sunday, Jan. 11
- One person was struck but did not require medical transport
- Police detained the driver and are weighing an assault-with-a-deadly-weapon charge
- Why it matters: The incident highlights rising tensions at global solidarity protests amid Iran’s ongoing domestic unrest
The Incident
Video posted on social media shows the U-Haul barreling forward as demonstrators scatter. The footage, captured during the Jan. 11 gathering in Los Angeles, shows the vehicle come to a stop only after protestors surrounded it.
LAPD Capt. Richard Gabaldon told the L.A. Times that no ambulances were dispatched to the scene and that the single individual who was hit sustained no significant injuries.
Once police removed the driver from the truck, additional clips show angry protesters attempting to strike him.
Investigation Details
Authorities detained the driver and could file a charge of assault with a deadly weapon, Gabaldon confirmed to the L.A. Times.
Officials believe the episode stemmed from an altercation within the crowd rather than an act of terrorism, Gabaldon added. The suspect reportedly has no prior arrest record.
A banner draped across the truck read:
- “No Shah. No Regime. USA: Don’t Repeat 1953. No Mullah.”
The message references the 1953 U.S.-backed coup that reinstalled Iran’s monarchy and the 1979 revolution that later ousted the Shah.
Broader Context
The Los Angeles protest occurred as Iran continues to face mass demonstrations. CNN, citing a human rights group, reports that more than 500 people have been killed and thousands arrested since protests began.
News Of Losangeles previously reported that solidarity rallies have taken place in multiple cities worldwide, with Los Angeles serving as a frequent hub for Iranian-American activism.
Key Takeaways
- One protester sustained minor injuries after the U-Haul incident
- The driver is in custody and may face felony assault charges
- Police classify the act as crowd-related violence, not terrorism
- The event underscores heightened emotions at protests linked to Iran’s domestic crisis
