Politics
Injuries Reported After U-Haul Plows Into Pro-Iranian Democracy Protesters In Los Angeles
Several people were injured when a man driving a U-Haul truck appeared to intentionally plow into a crowd of protesters in Westwood, Los Angeles, during a demonstration in support of pro-democracy efforts in Iran and against the Iranian government. The protest was part of global solidarity actions amid ongoing unrest in Iran, which has left more than 500 protesters dead and has led to thousands of arrests, according to multiple human rights monitoring organizations.
The incident occurred late Sunday afternoon near 11000 Wilshire Boulevard. Video footage shows the U-Haul truck approaching and entering the crowd, causing protesters to scatter.
After the truck stopped, demonstrators surrounded it, smashed windows, and attempted to pull the driver out using flagpoles and other items. Law enforcement officers intervened, removing the driver from the vehicle and taking him into custody while managing the angry crowd.
The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) described the event as stemming from an altercation within the crowd and has not yet classified it as a politically motivated act or terrorism.
🚨 BREAKING: Another angle of the U-Haul truck plowing through anti-Islamic regime protestors in Los Angeles
PLEASE pray hard for these victims. It isn’t looking good 🙏🏻
pic.twitter.com/fUBMmX6la7— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) January 12, 2026
As a result, northbound and southbound off-ramps to Wilshire Boulevard were temporarily closed by the Los Angeles Regional Transportation Management Center, local outlet KTLA reported. Traffic was later reopened after the crowd dispersed.
The truck bore a sign in Arabic and English reading: “No Shah. No Regime. USA: Don’t Repeat 1953. No Mullah.” This message references the 1953 U.S.-backed coup in Iran and appears to oppose both the deposed Shah’s government, as well as the Islamic regime.
Witnesses and social media reports suggested the act appeared deliberate. Reports on injuries have varied. According to a report from the Los Angeles Times, the Los Angeles Fire Department evaluated two individuals who declined medical treatment or transport to a hospital.
No ambulances were dispatched, and response resources were delayed due to the large crowd size. No fatalities have been confirmed or disclosed as of this report.
The driver’s identity has not been released, though he has been described as an individual with no arrest record. He was detained at the scene, and LAPD Capt. Richard Gabaldon indicated he could face charges of assault with a deadly weapon.
Footage from the scene shows the man exiting the cab of the vehicle after bringing it to a stop. He was immediately taken into custody while police attempted to shield him from the crowd.
