U-Haul Truck Disrupts LA March for Iranian People
- Los Angeles police are investigating an incident on january 12, 2026, where a U-Haul box truck drove into a crowd of demonstrators supporting Iranian protestors, prompting a swift...
- The presentation, organized by the Southern California Iranian American Political Action Committee (SCIPAC), began at 11:00 AM PST on Sunday, January 12th, 2026, in the Fairfax District.
- Witnesses reported the truck accelerated towards the crowd, forcing protestors to scatter.
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U-Haul Truck Disrupts Iranian Solidarity Protest in Los Angeles
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Los Angeles police are investigating an incident on january 12, 2026, where a U-Haul box truck drove into a crowd of demonstrators supporting Iranian protestors, prompting a swift response from law enforcement and raising concerns about intentional disruption. No serious injuries were reported,but teh incident caused widespread panic among the marchers.
the Protest and Initial Incident
The presentation, organized by the Southern California Iranian American Political Action Committee (SCIPAC), began at 11:00 AM PST on Sunday, January 12th, 2026, in the Fairfax District. Approximately 3,000 people participated, expressing solidarity with ongoing protests in Iran following the government’s crackdown on dissent. The U-haul truck entered the protest route at the intersection of Wilshire Boulevard and Fairfax Avenue around 1:15 PM PST.
Witnesses reported the truck accelerated towards the crowd, forcing protestors to scatter. The driver, identified as 32-year-old Darius Khorsandi of Van Nuys, California, continued driving for several blocks before being apprehended by responding officers. The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) released a statement confirming the arrest and stating the incident is being investigated as a potential act of vehicular assault.
Examination and Potential Motives
The LAPD, in conjunction with the FBI, is investigating whether the incident was a intentional attempt to disrupt the protest or an isolated act.Initial reports indicate Khorsandi had no prior criminal record, but a search of his social media revealed numerous posts expressing support for the Iranian government and criticizing the protest movement. The FBI Los Angeles Field Office confirmed its involvement in the investigation, focusing on potential links to foreign influence operations.
According to LAPD Chief Dominic Reyes,during a press conference held on January 13,2026,”We are treating this incident with the utmost seriousness. While we haven’t established a definitive motive, we are exploring all possibilities, including the potential for politically motivated violence.”
U-Haul company Response and Vehicle Details
U-Haul has issued a statement condemning the incident and cooperating fully with law enforcement. The truck involved was a 2023 U-Haul 26-foot moving truck, rented on January 11, 2026, from a U-Haul location in North Hollywood, California. U-Haul’s official press release emphasized that the company does not endorse or support any political viewpoints and is committed to the safe use of its equipment.
The rental agreement listed Khorsandi as the sole driver. U-Haul has implemented a new policy, effective January 15, 2026, requiring enhanced identity verification for all truck rentals in areas with planned large-scale demonstrations, following recommendations from the Department of Homeland Security. The DHS guidance document outlines best practices for mitigating the risk of vehicle-borne attacks.
SCIPAC’s Response and Future Protests
SCIPAC has condemned the incident as a “fainthearted act of intimidation” and vowed to continue its support for the Iranian protest movement. The institution announced plans for a larger demonstration on january 19, 2026, with increased security measures. SCIPAC’s official statement called