U-Haul truck drives through crowd during Iran-related protest in Los Angeles

A driver of a U-Haul truck collided with individuals marching during an anti–Iranian government protest in Los Angeles on Sunday afternoon, according to authorities.

The incident was reported at about 3:30 p.m. local time along Veteran Avenue in the area of the Federal Building in West Los Angeles, the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) said. Police said the driver, described as an adult male, was detained pending further investigation.

Video from the scene showed the truck attempting to move through the march, as demonstrators struck the vehicle with their hands and flags. The truck later came to a stop in the area.

The Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) said two patients were identified at the scene. Both declined transport to a hospital, and no additional patients were located.

Protesters were seen confronting the driver after the truck stopped, as officers pushed back, telling the crowd, “we got him.” Authorities did not immediately release the driver’s identity or say what led to the incident.

The truck was seen displaying a message reading, “No shah. No regime. USA: Don’t repeat 1953. No mullah.” It was not immediately clear whether the message was placed by the driver or by protesters at the scene prior to the incident.

The protest was held in support of demonstrations against the Iranian government that have been taking place since late December. Protesters in the Los Angeles area were seen carrying flags bearing the lion and sun symbol associated with Iranian opposition movements.