A person drove a U-Haul box truck into a crowd of demonstrators in Los Angeles on Sunday, prompting a police investigation. The incident occurred as protesters gathered in support of the Iranian people.
U-Haul Incident Disrupts Los Angeles Protest
The U-Haul truck, with a shattered window and side mirrors, was stopped several blocks away and surrounded by police. Helicopter footage from KABC showed officers keeping a crowd at bay as demonstrators swarmed the truck, throwing punches at the driver and thrusting flagpoles through the driver’s side window.
Police detained the driver, a man whose identity has not been released, “pending further investigation.” Authorities said one person was hit by the truck, but no serious injuries were reported. Paramedics evaluated two people at the scene, but both declined treatment, according to the Los Angeles fire department.
The driver, who is in the process of being arrested, could face assault charges, said Capt. Richard Gabaldon of the Los Angeles Police Department. “We’re looking at possible assault with a deadly weapon, the deadly weapon being the vehicle being used,” he said.
A banner attached to the truck read: “No Shah. No Regime. USA: Don’t Repeat 1953. No Mullah.” This is an apparent reference to the 1953 US-backed coup that toppled Mohammad Mosaddegh, the then-prime minister of Iran.
The 1953 coup stemmed from US fears of Soviet influence in Iran and British desires to regain control of the Iranian oil industry, which had been nationalized by Mosaddegh. The coup led to the strengthening of the Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi’s power and ultimately contributed to the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
A large crowd had gathered along Veteran Avenue in Los Angeles’ Westwood neighborhood to protest against the Iranian theocracy. Police issued a dispersal order, and by 5 p.m., approximately 100 protesters remained in the area, KABC reported.
Bill Essayli, the first assistant US attorney for California’s central district, stated that his office is aware of 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,” Essayli said in a statement.
Activists report that a crackdown on nationwide protests in Iran has resulted in more than 530 deaths. Protests continued Sunday in Tehran and Iran’s second-largest city.
Los Angeles is home to the largest Iranian community outside of Iran.
The Associated Press contributed reporting
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