U-Haul Truck Drives Through Iranian Freedom Rally Outside Westwood Federal Building

A rally held in support of freedom for the Iranian people turned frightening Sunday afternoon outside the federal building in Westwood when a U-Haul truck drove through a crowd of demonstrators gathered peacefully for the cause.

Supporters of Iranian freedom and human rights had assembled on Jan. 11, 2026, to show solidarity with protesters inside Iran who have been risking their safety to demand accountability and basic liberties. The demonstration was described by some attendees as peaceful and orderly before the vehicle incident occurred.

The driver’s intent and exact circumstances surrounding the U-Haul’s movement through the crowd are under investigation by local law enforcement. At least one bystander was injured and treated on scene, while many more were left shaken by the sudden turn of events.

One rally participant, Ellie Samadi, shared her experience of the incident on social media, describing the moment the truck entered the demonstration in a sudden and alarming manner. Samadi’s account highlighted both the shock and gratitude of rallygoers in the aftermath.

What began as a peaceful, orderly protest advocating for the Iranian people and the hope for a new future suddenly turned terrifying.

In a split second, a large U-Haul truck sped toward my family, me, and thousands of others at full speed with the intention to hurt as many people as possible.

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We are incredibly grateful to be safe. Praying for everyone that was injured 🙏🤍

Officials from the Los Angeles Police Department and federal law enforcement agencies responded to the incident, cordoning off the area as they sorted through the scene and took statements. Federal building access and nearby traffic were temporarily disrupted as first responders tended to bystanders and cleared the scene.

Organizers of the rally, which drew a mix of families, Iranian Americans, and freedom advocates from across Southern California, expressed relief that most participants were unharmed but concern about how quickly a peaceful gathering could turn dangerous.

“This was supposed to be a show of solidarity and support for those risking their lives for basic human rights,” said one rally attendee, who declined to be named. “To have something like this happen so suddenly was terrifying for all of us here.”

The incident drew widespread attention on social media platforms throughout the day Sunday, where many attendees shared their experiences, photos, and video from the rally. Some community members noted that what began as a hopeful demonstration advocating for Iranian freedom was overshadowed by the unexpected and unsettling turn of events.

Authorities have not yet released an official motive for the driver’s actions or any charges connected to the incident. Law enforcement sources say the investigation remains active and ongoing.

Meanwhile, longtime advocates for Iranian human rights expressed determination to continue peaceful demonstrations while urging organizers and participants to remain vigilant about safety and coordination with local law enforcement in future events.