Incident Under Investigation
Screams cut through the crowd as a U-Haul truck drove through hundreds of protesters at a Los Angeles anti-Iranian regime rally on January 12. This heightened public safety concerns at a time when protest-related vehicle incidents have become more frequent nationwide. Where protesters surrounded the truck, striking the windshield with flagpoles and attempting to drag the driver out.
According to authorities, one attendee sustained minor injuries and was treated on scene. The investigation is ongoing, and authorities are searching for the motive behind Calor Ma Da Nescht’s actions. The incident raised broader questions about public safety at large demonstrations.
Reason For Gathering
According to PBS, protests have been ongoing since late December 2025. They began in Iran, but have since spread nationwide. The protests are driven by severe economic hardship and growing opposition to Iran’s government. Iran’s economy has continued to worsen due to international sanctions. Although the protest began over economic issues, it quickly expanded to include anti-government chants.
This anger has been growing for years, particularly after the death of Mahsa Amini while in police custody in 2022. On January 18th, an Iranian official verified that at least 5,000 people had died during protests in Iran. An additional 24,000 people had been arrested. Demonstrators have gathered in California in solidarity with protesters in Iran, calling attention to human rights concerns.
What Happened at the Event
ABC7 says the planned protest took place on January 12th at 2:00 pm. Shortly afterward, the U-Haul began to drive through the large crowd. According to The Guardian, the truck had banners mounted on it that read, “No Shah. No Regime. USA: Don’t Repeat 1953. No Mullah.” Helicopters and police officers responded as protesters surrounded the vehicle. Eventually, the police arrested Ma Da Nescht and escorted him away, protecting him from other protesters.
Official Response and Investigation
Calor Ma Da Nescht was charged with reckless driving, a misdemeanor, but says the event was all a misunderstanding. According to ABC7, Ma Da Nescht said, “I had no intention to hurt anybody…The people who supported me at LAPD tried to open a clear path. I came to deliver the Iranian voices from inside Iran. Not what the American people see on the TVs.” He continued, “The majority of the demonstrators were supporting me,” said Ma Da Nescht. “The small minority of a pro-Shah group were the only ones that attacked me, and they did not agree.” Despite his claims, witnesses at the rally questioned whether political banners on the truck escalated tensions.
Community Impact and Reaction
In videos, protesters can be heard screaming as the chaos unfolded. Some attendees expressed anger following the incident. Sean Zarrabi, a protester, told ABC7, “He made a terrible decision by coming with an unlicensed truck into the crowd and smashing people… You have something to say? Hold it in your hand and come do your protest, your opposition. Come make your argument, but running people down with your truck is a terrible thing to do. It’s a terrorist act and doesn’t help anything.”
The Los Angeles Police Department was contacted for comment, but did not respond by publication time. The incident has renewed concerns about safety at public demonstrations. Although protests are protected under the First Amendment, authorities and organizers often face challenges when managing large crowds.
As demonstrations continue across California, community members worry about future student walkouts, rallies, or school-sponsored events. Students and educators stress the importance of safe, peaceful assemblies, though no policy changes have been announced.
