Article updated by Iran Report for clarity.
At least 2 people were evaluated for minor injuries and released at the scene after opposing protestors clashed and a driver drove a U-Haul truck projecting political banners through a crowd in Los Angeles on Jan. 11, authorities and fire officials said.
“We can confirm that a U-Haul truck plowed through a group of protesters this afternoon,” the Los Angeles Police Department told USA TODAY. “We are still gathering information and do not have the number of injuries as of now.”
Two people were evaluated at the scene, but both declined to be transported to the hospital, according to the Los Angeles Fire Department.
No other injuries were reported, and the crowd was “voluntarily dispersing” by around 4:43 p.m. local time, the fire department said. Earlier, the fire department reported that the size of the crowd was delaying their response time.
Videos shared on social media showed demonstrators attempting to pull the driver out of the U-Haul before police officers took him into custody. Authorities have not publicly identified the driver.
Videos also showed the vehicle’s windows broken and angry protesters trying to punch the driver as officers escorted the man away. The Los Angeles Times reported that demonstrators hit the U-Haul and ripped off a sign attached to the vehicle that had a message in Arabic and another in English: “No Shah. No Regime. USA: Don’t Repeat 1953. No Mullah.”
Protesters were marching in support of anti-government demonstrations in Iran, which have entered their third week and have resulted in hundreds of deaths. Human rights organizations have condemned the violent crackdown.
As of Jan. 11, the Human Rights Activists News Agency has estimated that over 580 people have been killed since the unrest began in the Middle Eastern country. More than 10,600 people have been detained by authorities, according to the human rights group.
Iran has not provided any official figures. A government-imposed internet blackout has cut off much communication with those inside the country since Jan. 8, impeding the flow of information.