A U-Haul truck drove into a crowd of demonstrators supporting the Iranian people in Los Angeles on Sunday, causing protesters to scramble out of the way. The incident occurred in the Westwood neighbourhood, where a large march was taking place against the Iranian theocracy.
Police said one person was hit by the truck but nobody was seriously hurt. Two people were evaluated by paramedics and both declined treatment, according to the Los Angeles fire department. The driver, a man who was not identified, was detained pending further investigation.
Captain Richard Gabaldon of the Los Angeles Police Department said the driver could face assault charges. “We’re looking at possible assault with a deadly weapon, the deadly weapon being the vehicle being used,” he said.
A banner attached to the truck read: “No Shah. No Regime. USA: Don’t Repeat 1953. No Mullah.” This refers to the US-backed coup in 1953 that toppled Iranian Prime Minister Mohammad Mosaddegh, which was partly motivated by British and US interests in Iranian oil.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation is working with local police to determine the driver’s motive. Bill Essayli, the first assistant US attorney for California’s central district, said the investigation is active and the public will be updated when more information is available.
