A peaceable demonstration in help of protests in Iran turned chaotic on Sunday in Los Angeles when a U‑Haul truck drove right into a crowd of demonstrators. The rally drew tons of of individuals expressing solidarity with anti‑Iranian regime protests overseas. Video and eyewitness accounts present the truck getting into the realm round 3.30pm, inflicting protesters to scramble out of the way in which because it moved by way of the road. Officers later stopped the automobile a number of blocks away and took the driving force into custody. One individual was struck by the truck however didn’t undergo critical accidents, and others declined medical transport after being checked by emergency crews.After the truck entered the group, many protesters swarmed the automobile. Footage exhibits individuals surrounding the truck, smashing its home windows, making an attempt to take away indicators from its aspect and confronting the driving force. Some demonstrators tried to tug the driving force out of the automobile and struck it with flagpoles earlier than police pushed the group again. Authorities finally escorted the driving force into custody because the state of affairs remained tense on the scene.Los Angeles police confirmed that the grownup male driver was detained “pending additional investigation”. Captain Mike Bland of the LAPD mentioned the incident is beneath assessment and will result in assault fees, with the automobile being handled as a attainable lethal weapon. The id of the driving force or the small print are nonetheless not public as of Monday. The truck displayed political slogans referencing Iran’s 1953 coup, however officers haven’t referred to as the occasion a terrorist act. Legislation enforcement has requested for witness footage and statements to assist make clear what occurred. The protest in Westwood was a part of a wave of demonstrations by Iranian communities and supporters the world over reacting to protests and a harsh authorities response in Iran itself. Unrest within the Center East has drawn international consideration, with many within the diaspora calling for change and an finish to violent crackdowns beneath the Supreme Chief Ayatollah Khamenei.
