Driver Arrested After Speeding Through Iran Protest in Los Angeles

Incident at Protest in Los Angeles

A truck driver was taken into custody in Los Angeles, California, after speeding through a street filled with people demonstrating in support of protesters in Iran. Demonstrators were forced to take cover as a U-Haul truck sped down a busy road during Sunday's protest. One person was struck, though local authorities reported no serious injuries.

The truck was stopped a few blocks away and surrounded by police vehicles. Footage from a local news helicopter showed officers trying to prevent protesters from attacking the driver after they rushed to catch up with the vehicle. Police stated that the driver, whose identity has not been revealed, was detained "pending further investigation."

The Los Angeles Fire Department reported that two individuals were evaluated by paramedics following the incident, but both refused treatment afterward. A large crowd of demonstrators had previously gathered on Veteran Avenue in Westwood, Los Angeles, protesting against the Iranian government. The West Coast city hosts the largest Iranian community outside of Iran.

Initially, police allowed the protest to take place but later issued a dispersal order. By early evening, only about 100 protesters remained in the area according to local media. Protests in Iran began on December 28, when merchants at the Grand Bazaar in Tehran closed their shops due to the dramatic devaluation of the Iranian rial. These protests have evolved from economic grievances to broader demonstrations against the government, marking the largest unrest in Iran since the 2022-23 movement sparked by the custody death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini, who was arrested for allegedly violating strict dress codes for women.

Demonstrations in support of Iranian protesters have occurred in cities worldwide, including London, Los Angeles, Paris, Berlin, and Istanbul. State media reported on Sunday that 109 security forces members have been killed in the recent upheavals. Authorities have not confirmed the number of protesters who have lost their lives, but opposition activists abroad claim the toll is higher, including hundreds of protesters.