At a Glance
- A U-Haul truck drove through a Westwood protest against Iran’s regime, scattering demonstrators.
- Driver Calor Madaneschtalor claims he came to join the rally, not to harm anyone.
- He blames a group he calls “prop-Sha” for attacking him, forcing him to speed away.
- LAPD booked him for reckless driving; some protesters want a terrorism charge.
Why it matters: The incident shows how quickly political protests can turn violent when messages on vehicles are seen as threatening.
A U-Haul truck interrupted a Westwood demonstration against Iran’s current regime on Sunday afternoon, prompting panic among hundreds of protesters and leading to the driver’s arrest for reckless driving.
Calor Madaneschtalor, the man behind the wheel, told News Of Losangeles he never meant to scare anyone. He said he drove to the area near the Federal Building at Veteran and Ohio avenues to park, exit the truck, and stand with Iranian-Americans demanding change in Tehran.
Claims of Solidarity Turned Violent
Madaneschtalor said his plan changed the moment he stopped. “As I parked, the prop-Sha group attacked me,” he told Ethan R. Coleman. “Violently started hitting me. Broken windows, shattered inside. Coming inside, punching me.” Video from the scene shows the box truck moving through the crowd while people scatter.
The driver insisted the slogans painted on the cargo area carried a peaceful message of freedom and equal rights. Critics, however, said the wording echoed rhetoric used by Mojahedin, a group designated by some governments as terrorist.
| Aspect | Madaneschtalor’s Claim | Protesters’ View |
|---|---|---|
| Intent | Join rally in support | Disrupt or intimidate |
| Truck Message | Freedom and dignity | Terrorist group slogans |
| Action After Parking | Attacked, forced to flee | Drove aggressively through crowd |
No Regime Loyalty, Driver Says
Asked whether the signage provoked the reaction, Madaneschtalor replied, “My signs are call for freedom, dignity and equal rights for everyone.” He distanced himself from both Iran’s current leadership and the former monarchy: “I’m a freedom fighter. I’m a human rights activist,” he said, adding he opposes the Khomeini establishment and the pre-1979 Shah regime alike.
Police Response and Charges
Los Angeles Police Department officers arrived as demonstrators surrounded the truck. They arrested Madaneschtalor and booked him on suspicion of reckless driving. As of Thursday, no terrorism-related charge had been filed, though some protesters urged prosecutors to consider one.
The neighborhood, home to the largest Iranian community outside Iran, has seen repeated rallies since nationwide protests erupted in Iran last year. Sunday’s gathering drew flag-wavers brandishing the lion-and-sun standard used before the 1979 revolution.
Key Takeaways
- A U-Haul truck became the center of a tense confrontation at a Westwood Iran protest.
- Driver Calor Madaneschtalor claims he came in solidarity and was attacked.
- LAPD arrested him for reckless driving; investigation continues.
