A U-Haul truck drove into a group of protesters in Westwood on Sunday afternoon during a demonstration aimed at supporting the Iranian people’s fight against oppressive conditions in their homeland. The incident occurred around 3:30 p.m. along Veteran Avenue, where hundreds of individuals had gathered to express their solidarity with the ongoing protests in Iran.
LAPD Captain Mike Bland confirmed that an adult male driver of the U-Haul has been detained as authorities investigate the circumstances surrounding the collision. Although at least two protesters were examined for injuries, they opted not to receive medical transportation from the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD).
Witnesses captured the chaotic scene on cellphone video, showing protesters attempting to pull the driver from the truck and reacting with anger as they confronted him. “In front of my eyes, the U-Haul hit people, so we started chasing the U-Haul,” said protester Mike Hirad, describing the moment of impact and the subsequent efforts to stop the vehicle.
According to Bill Essayli, a United States Attorney, the FBI is collaborating with local law enforcement to ascertain the driver’s motives, as the situation raises many concerns given the historical context of protests in Iran.
The demonstration in Westwood came in response to a severe crackdown on dissent within Iran, where recent unrest has led to the deaths of at least 583 people, as reported by the U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency. Protesters in the U.S. expressed their commitment to shining a light on the struggles faced by those in Iran, with one participant, Romina Tabibiazar, emphasizing her personal connection to the cause as a born Iranian.
This tragic incident highlights the ongoing tensions surrounding protests both abroad and at home, but it also underscores the determination of activists who continue to stand in solidarity with those fighting for their rights, drawing attention to human rights issues that resonate beyond geographic boundaries.