Protesters opposing the Iranian regime surrounded a U-Haul truck during a rally in Los Angeles on Sunday. They smashed its windshield and assaulted the suspected driver with a flagpole until police intervened and detained him.
Footage shows a large crowd rushing towards the truck, some shouting at the driver, while others acted violently. One person jumped into the truck and stomped on the windshield, while another inserted a flagpole with an Iranian flag through the open window, making it look like a stabbing. A banner on the truck was torn down, displaying a message that read: “NO SHAH. NO REGIME. USA: DON’T REPEAT 1953. NO MULLAH.”
As the driver attempted to exit the vehicle, a group of protesters pushed the door shut. Eventually, police managed to reach the scene and took the driver into custody.
The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) reported the incident occurred around 3:30 p.m. on Veterans Avenue near the Federal Building in Westwood. They confirmed that the adult male driver was being held for further investigation, but his identity has not been disclosed.
According to the LAPD, the driver was involved in a collision with another vehicle, but fortunately, no serious injuries were reported. An ambulance treated someone at the scene, and no one was transported to the hospital.
Videos circulating online captured a U-Haul truck driving swiftly through the crowd, with some individuals screaming. In one clip, someone is seen clinging to the side of the vehicle and banging on the window as it sped off. The authorities have yet to release details about the driver or the charges he may face.
Hundreds gathered in Westwood for a march supporting Iranian protesters, amidst ongoing unrest in Iran, where demonstrations initially sparked by economic issues have escalated into a wider challenge to the clerical regime. The Iranian American Republican Council condemned the incident as a “terrorist attack,” urging a thorough investigation and accountability.
Reports indicate that 583 people have lost their lives in Iran due to the recent uprising, highlighting the severe situation unfolding. It’s a challenging time, and discussions surrounding it seem to be becoming more urgent by the day.
