Man detained after driving truck through anti-Iran protest in Los Angeles

"Los Angeles police respond after a truck drives down a street filled with demonstrators marching in support of the Iranian people. A truck driver has been detained in Los Angeles, California, after speeding down a street filled with people demonstrating in support of protesters in Iran. Marchers were forced to scramble out of the way as a U-Haul box truck drove down a crowded road during the protest on Sunday. One person was hit, but nobody was seriously hurt, local police said in a statement."

"The truck was stopped several blocks away and surrounded by police cars. Footage from a local news helicopter showed officers trying to stop demonstrators from attacking the driver, after they had raced to catch up with his vehicle. Police said the driver, who has not been identified, was detained pending further investigation. The Los Angeles Fire Department said two people were evaluated by paramedics following the incident, with both declining any further treatment."

"The protests in Iran began on December 28, when merchants at Tehran's Grand Bazaar closed their shops over the Iranian rial's plummeting value. They have evolved from economic grievances into broader antigovernment demonstrations and are the largest in Iran since the 2022-23 movement spurred by the custodial death of Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old woman who had been arrested for allegedly violating the strict dress code for women."

Los Angeles police detained a U-Haul driver after the truck sped down a street crowded with demonstrators supporting protesters in Iran. Marchers scrambled to avoid the vehicle; one person was hit but suffered no serious injuries. Officers stopped the truck several blocks away and prevented demonstrators from attacking the driver. Two people were evaluated by paramedics and declined further treatment. The demonstration along Veteran Avenue in Westwood attracted a large crowd and was later given a dispersal order. Protests in Iran began December 28 over the rial's collapse and have expanded into widespread antigovernment demonstrations, inspiring solidarity marches worldwide.

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