Sam Asghari, the Iranian-born actor and former husband of pop icon Britney Spears, has revealed he was among protestors at a tense pro-freedom rally in Los Angeles that turned chaotic after a U-Haul truck drove into the crowd.
Peaceful Protest Descends into Violence
On Sunday night, the 31-year-old model shared footage on social media of himself marching with large crowds and waving the Iranian flag. The demonstration was held near the federal building in Westwood, an area home to one of the largest Iranian-American communities in the United States, with protestors calling for regime change and an end to political repression in Iran.
The initially peaceful gathering took a tumultuous turn around 3:30 p.m. when a U-Haul truck drove towards hundreds of demonstrators on Veteran Avenue. Video captured the moment the vehicle moved into the crowd, causing panic as people screamed and rushed to get away.
Driver Arrested Amidst Angry Confrontation
Following the incident, officers were seen pulling the driver from the vehicle while demonstrators surrounded him, attempting to strike him with flagpoles, trash, and their hands. One protester climbed onto the truck and kicked in its windshield.
As police escorted the detained driver away, several protestors chased him and tried to hit him, forcing officers to push the crowd back. Demonstrators also tore political messages from the truck, which bore a banner reading: 'No Shah, No Regime. USA: Don't Repeat 1953. No Mullah.'
The Los Angeles Fire Department confirmed three people were injured by the truck. Two declined medical treatment, while a third was assessed by paramedics at the scene. Police eventually issued a dispersal order, leading to the crowd shrinking.
Broader Context and Asghari's Response
The unrest in Los Angeles mirrors deadly protests inside Iran, where at least 583 people have reportedly been killed in recent weeks. From an estimated 400,000 Iranian-born immigrants in the US, more than a third reside in the Los Angeles area.
After the rally, Asghari used his platform to address the backlash. Responding to an Instagram user who called him a 'disgrace', he wrote: 'As a proud American citizen, I'm most proud of the values this country represents... Peacefully protesting the biggest enemy of the United States, while holding the American flag and standing for freedom, is one of the most American things you can do.'
He also reshared a statement from Congressman Eric Swalwell supporting Iranian protestors. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass urged demonstrators with opposing views to exercise their rights peacefully, reminding Angelenos of the need for peaceful protest 'regardless of how charged the issue is.'
