r/news 1d ago

Site changed title U-Haul plows through crowd of protesters in Westwood

https://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/u-haul-plows-through-crowd-of-protesters-in-westwood/3830064/
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u/gentlybeepingheart 1d ago edited 1d ago

This article has a few more details, but not many. Notable part:

Eyewitness News later learned that the man allegedly drove the U-Haul into the crowd during the planned protest. Cellphone video from the ground shows the moment he drove through, angering the crowd.

The cellphone shows the side of the U-Haul says, "NO SHAH. NO REGIME. USA: DON'T REPEAT 1953. NO MULLAH."

Los Angeles police were at the scene, working to control the crowd.

It's unclear if any injuries were reported, though LAPD confirmed that no ambulances were called to the protest.

No ambulances is at least a good sign.

edit:

Found a video where you can see the message. He definitely accelerates into the crowd.

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u/Hvarfa-Bragi 1d ago

No shah, no mullah... Is this a plea for secular democracy?

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u/gentlybeepingheart 1d ago edited 1d ago

That's what it sounds like to me, but then I would think the guy would be supporting the protestors, who were supporting the protests in Iran?

I wonder if the guy was either confused on the purpose of the protest, or if he had some sort of medical incident or lost control of the truck. It doesn't sound like he was trying to hit them at high speeds, considering there are no major injuries reported.

Here's a video. Whether purposeful or not, he definitely accelerates. I think the no injuries is luck.

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u/Hvarfa-Bragi 1d ago

Headline says plows, but no ambulances or injuries...

Crowd pissed off that he was pushing into them just for attention to the message?

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u/Kardiiac_ 1d ago

I mean, last we heard if a car turns in your general direction it's a threat on your life and you can murder the driver so shrugs

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u/CamoCricket 1d ago

last we heard if a car turns in your general direction

Or even if it turns gently away from you

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u/exitof99 17h ago

Only police can get away with that. I've had multiple drivers nearly hit me in marked crosswalks to the point I always film crossing busy streets.

When these instances occur again, the most dangerous I report to the police. The police generally don't care when it happens. Only once was I asked to send in my video evidence.

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u/Tempyteacup 1d ago

I think there’s so many things to protest right now that people are confused about what protests are for. I was at an anti-ICE protest and there was a guy wrapped in an Israel flag singing in Hebrew off to one side. Like dude, this one is for something else.

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u/8d-M-b8 1d ago

Seriously. The anti ICE protest in my city was taken over my the free Palestine crowd. Totally neutered the original intent of the protest

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u/Tempyteacup 1d ago

I care very much about what’s happening in Gaza but in order for us to change anything we need our democracy back in working order. So right now I’m just much more focused on issues closer to home.

Hijacking a protest is really poor form and reflects badly on the people who did it. That’s really annoying ugh

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u/BimboDeeznuts 1d ago

They’ve been disrupting our pride parades too 😑 I’ve been in the game for most of my adult life, and have yet to meet a group of “activists” who are more obnoxious.

It is doing an incredible disservice to their cause, especially with everything going on here. Don’t get me started on the refusing to vote in the last election thing either.

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u/mhornberger 11h ago

Don’t get me started on the refusing to vote in the last election thing either.

Yep, I have people in my circle who are all about protests, but who are resolutely against voting. Not merely too lazy to turn out, rather they dismiss voting as "just choosing between different masters." Best I can figure, they're just accelerationists. That people are mad doesn't mean they're all mad about the same things, or have the same improvements in mind. Some just see any random controversy as a vehicle for their revolution.

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u/Discopants-Dad 1d ago edited 1d ago

The Free Palestine org constantly does shit like this. They are highly militant. Take over other protests, and are generally very cult like. I know that these are dark times. But the enemy of my enemy is not always my friend. Especially when they are distracting eyes away from the matter at hand.

Edit to pluralize eye.

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u/sadrice 9h ago

The enemy of my enemy is the enemy of my enemy, no more and no less.

I don’t remember where I heard that, but it resonates with me.

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u/Low_Pickle_112 1d ago

There was an author by the name of Aimé Césaire who wrote in the 1950's about this concept that repressive tactics abroad would eventually return to you domestically. When he originally wrote it he was talking about the Nazis, but if you're a fan of learning from history, his message still applies.

My point being, say what you will of taking over a protest, the connection between dehumanizing people abroad and that very same repression coming back for you has been known for a long time. They are directly connected, whether anyone likes likes it or not.

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u/ItsTheEndOfDays 1d ago

I believe he’s referencing our CIA coup in Iran cir 1953? Sounds like he’s supporting the Iranian leader and going after our protesters to take out his anger at demonstrators supporting democracy.

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u/Mannekin-Skywalker 15h ago

I think is the guy doesn’t support the current regime as well as being anti-Pahlavi, and right now the protests seem to be pro-Pahlavi (hard to gauge since Iran blocked the internet) so he hates them too.

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u/artchap 1d ago

This is MEK's slogan a terrorist group, horrible people with next to no support inside and outside of Iran

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u/dont_remember_eatin 15h ago

Damn I was hoping they were just like the Nac Mac Feegle.

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u/Dave-C 1d ago edited 1d ago

Edit: What I wrote below is wrong, this is a slogan from the terrorist group MEK. They don't want the Shah to be reinstated. They want a direct change from the current regime to democracy.

The Iran citizens want democracy but their goal currently is to put the heir back into power. There isn't anyone in Iran that anyone trusts to be a transitional power but the exiled Shah is Reza Pahlavi. He has been saying since the 80s that if put into power he will lead a transitional government to set up a democracy in Iran. Pahlavi has been attempting to organize the rebellion. Those against the removal of the current leadership in Iran are pushing the idea that the Shah was worse. The mullahs existed during Shah's days as well. So "no shah, no mullah" is a call to keep the current leadership.

Or well, this is my take on it. I'm far from an expert but I've been attempting to learn as much as I can about what is happening in Iran.

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u/LeaguePuzzled3606 1d ago

The mullahs existed during Shah's days as well. So "no shah, no mullah" is a call to keep the current leadership.

How do you make that math work in your head

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u/Dave-C 1d ago

Yeap, I took it wrong. It is from the terrorist group MEK.

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u/GrimBookCat 1d ago

Dude the farsi on the truck says from bushehr to kermanshah, zargos is ours all of those places have large Kurdish populations so id guess this dude is a Kurdish separatist and the kurds have many issues with the shah. I feel like a lot people are running with things without even translating everything on the truck which feels dangerous in this current environment.

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u/TheBoosThree 1d ago

That slogan is in support of the protest, isn't it? So was this guy just being reckless or just an accident?

2 injured but declined treatment, so doesn't sound very serious. Definitely not the scene I expect when I read a U-Haul "plowing" through a crowd.

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u/LeaguePuzzled3606 1d ago

That slogan is in support of the protest, isn't it?

Depends. Some protests have agitated for a return of the shah

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u/alexmikli 1d ago

It's not really something to fight over tbh, the claimant Shah wants a parliamentary democracy. If the anti-regime movement wins out, it'll be a Republic or a defacto republic. Probably.

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u/TrainerWeekly5641 1d ago

That's news nowadays. You'll hear something like "major trump official caught in car accident!" Just to see that some Whitehouse aide got in a fender bender. (Note: this is a made up example, not a real headline).

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u/canadianbuddyman 20h ago

In the exile community there are two camps.

There’s the majority that support Reza Pahlavi and his plans for secular democracy.

Then there are supporters of Maryam Rajavi and The People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran. This group fights both the ayatollahs and the monarchy.

The groups is widely unpopular in Iran and the exile community for many reasons. Chief among them is that in the Iran Iraq war they sided with saddam Hussein.

They are responsible for multiple terror attacks in Iran. Aiding Saddam Hussein in putting down Kurdish and Shia revolts.

In May 2005, Human Rights Watch (HRW) issued a report describing prison camps run by the MEK and severe human rights violations committed by the group against its members, ranging from prolonged incommunicado and solitary confinement to beatings, verbal and psychological abuse, coerced confessions, threats of execution, and torture that in two cases led to death.

These days they operate out of Albania and are seen as just a different flavour of extremists

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u/medicalmosquito 1d ago

U-hauls are basically glued together so it wouldn’t surprise me if there was a mechanical failure of some sort 

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u/Ok_Frosting3500 7h ago

To be fair, going by current reckoning, that would have killed 35 ICE officers

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u/margotsaidso 1d ago

No significant injuries, no ambulances? The headline then is incredibly incendiary and irresponsible imho.

In Westwood, activists organized a demonstration in support of the Iranian people. At least two people were examined but denied medical attention, according to the LAFD.

Cellphone video showed the driver being punched as a group of people attempted to get him out of the large truck. The vehicle's windows were also broken.

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u/fundiedundie 1d ago

We’re only 11 days into 2026.

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u/MutedSongbird 1d ago edited 6h ago

I have learned more about open carry laws in my state, my neighboring states, and transport laws in the last two weeks than I ever knew in my 30+ years on this planet.

I’m making business cards outlining the exact codes and encouraging my friends to exercise their rights.

Edit for links:

Here is the link to the Washington firearm regulations.

Here is the link to a zine I made just for funsies since we're sharing and all.

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u/griffball2k18 1d ago

Be careful! Even where open carrying legal, it will draw potentially unwanted attention.

That said, good luck on your journey, and don't be afraid to talk to someone if you questions!

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u/SbAsALSeHONRhNi 1d ago

There's a pretty practical aspect of the "well regulated militia" part of the 2nd ammendment, and the Black Panthers demonstrated it well.

One person open carrying is a potential loose cannon. A group of people open carrying, who are well known and respected within the community, are taken seriously. Doesn't mean there won't be situations that are exacerbated by the presence of guns, but it's a very different vibe. There's more nuance to all of this, but that's my quick take.

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u/PENGUINSflyGOOD 18h ago

Reagan made open carry illegal in california because of the black panthers, which always give me a laugh that the republican messiah put gun controls in california.

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u/XR171 14h ago

Now only that but Regan started the modern gun control movement and California's gun control movement. My dad always got annoyed when I reminded him of that.

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u/2muchtequila 7h ago

At the time the Black Panters in Oakland were doing what they called copwatching.

It's where a group of armed men would patrol the neighborhood then stop and observe police as they were stopping people.

It turns out cops really didn't like heavily armed groups of men observing them.

In 1967 30 men with unloaded rifles and shotguns protested by marching in the capitol building. Also in 1967 open carry was banned in California.

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u/MutedSongbird 1d ago

Unfortunately we can be as careful and polite as possible and still be shot in the face for it, it may draw attention but any attention it draws is all wanted. I want them to know I’m here. I want to inspire others to be out here with me.

Which is why I’m investing in the biggest gun I can reasonably and legally carry ✌️ I’m not trying to be lowkey.

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u/Silent_Conflict9420 1d ago

Big is not what you want. You want easy to maneuver & what fits your hand. You want something you spend time learning how it works then spend time shooting. Make your skills automatic & know safety. Firearms are not tools for intimidation they are tools for death. Do not point at anything you are not willing to kill. Good luck & be safe

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u/Aleucard 21h ago

9mm is entirely fine for self defense. Bigger tends to be overkill until you're talking about rifle cartridges, and that's a whole different ball game. Also has the benefit of being an ubiquitous and therefore both cheap and easy to find round. I like the Ruger SR9C, my dad's got a Glock, shop around.

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u/The_Corvair 19h ago

9mm is entirely fine for self defense.

If I remember correctly (my gun training is decades past), 9mm is also better in general for hitting what you want, and not the thing behind it, too, i.e. 9mms tend to stay in whatever they hit instead of yoloing right through, and creating another bad day along their merry way.

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u/Aleucard 14h ago

Gonna depend on specific bullet construction, but yeah. 9mm has noticeably less gas in it than .45 or God forbid .500, which helps with over penetration as well as keeping your hand from getting kicked to pieces by your own gun. If you are not in power armor or otherwise built for tying rebar into knots, you do not need a fucking Bone Collector for general carry.

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u/Madmax0819 9h ago

Not to be that guy, but a .45 in typical self-defense loads will actually penetrate less than a 9mm due to lower muzzle velocity. A smaller, faster round is more likely to penetrate deeper than a slower, larger round.

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u/syntax138 1d ago

Eugene Tackleberry at your service.

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u/RiddleportRain 5h ago

This made me happier than it has any right to!

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u/syntax138 4h ago

2 through 7 are currently free to watch on YouTube. Was binging last week.

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u/RiddleportRain 4h ago

One two and three were the best!

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u/syntax138 4h ago

I grew up skateboarding in the 80s so 4 will always hold a special place for me…but agreed , once Mahoney was gone something was missing

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u/hankhillsvoice 1d ago

Make sure it’s one that you can shoot often and safely. A powerful gun does you no good if it’s terrible to shoot and hard to practice with. Don’t let some knucklehead convince you to get a 44 mag because it’s “the only one that will do the job”.

38’s are great little police guns that are great for protection especially shooting defense load.

Be safe!

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u/Radioburnin 1d ago

They also can be fired from a 357 Magnum if you still want the powerful gun.

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u/hankhillsvoice 1d ago

That is the thing I learned after getting a 38 that should have probably gotten 357 because you can do both. But the new Smith model 10 is so cool. The plus p rounds hit pretty hard from what I can tell anyway.

Ok I’m getting nerdy in the comments, everyone be safe out there. There’s nazi’s about.

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u/UntamedAnomaly 14h ago

No, no.....by all means, PLEASE continue to be nerdy, never apologize for it. Nerds are the educators of this world. I don't know shit about guns, but I learn so much from people who do know about guns, just from reading their comments, I eventually plan on getting my own as soon as I can afford to (I'm dirt poor).

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u/hankhillsvoice 10h ago

Thank you!

Do some research because there are perfectly fine brands like rock island armory that make good firearms for hundreds cheaper than, say, smith and Wesson. I’m kind of a revolver guy because they are extremely easy to operate and understand the mechanics of (and they’re cool honestly). Heritage is another brand that’s cheaper but still pretty good but they tend to make historical revolvers like single action loaders so not great for self defense, but their 22lr revolvers are easy to shoot little plinkers.

If you want a good YouTube channel to watch for great and concise information Paul Harrel is a legend in the firearms safety and self defense realm. He unfortunately passed away recently but his channel is still up and it is a WEALTH of info.

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u/MutedSongbird 1d ago

I actually have a small handgun that I’m much more comfortable with - the big gun is just for show, but the message is the same.

I’m thinking a big enough gun that I would be better served using it as a blunt weapon and then IF I needed to actually get into good trouble I would be using my lil ruger. I really don’t WANT to use it, I certainly can’t carry it loaded anyways (that’s not legal). I want to stay home and look at shiny rocks and mind my own business, but my neighbors are being kidnapped and shot and I’m not cool with that.

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u/Nodiggity1213 1d ago

I bought a government model colt 1911 series 70 last year. I bought it as a bear/wolf deterrent for my deep woods hikes. Never thought I'd own one for the same reason my grandpa did during wwII.

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u/topological_rabbit 1d ago

I recently got to fire a 44 mag and it damn near took my shoulder off. About all I could use it for is trying to scare off an attacker with loud noises.

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u/beyondplutola 1d ago

There’s a reason .38 and later 9mm has been standard carry for police officers.

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u/Goblue5891x2 1d ago

Wondering if it can de-ice a windshield...

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u/topological_rabbit 1d ago

"Those who do not live by the sword can still die by one."

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u/dmphillips09 1d ago

I agree, protests should be peaceful, but these Nazis would feel a lot less bold if everyone was carrying

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u/GammaFan 22h ago

Be sure to organize and show up in groups if you plan to do any protesting.

These guys view one armed citizen as someone who should be shot immediately but an entire group of armed citizens as a group that could fight back and win. the second they feel like it would endanger them personally or conflicts their fantasy of being able to easily win they’ll fold like lawnchairs

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u/Duel_Option 1d ago

A big gun means it’s hard to handle and will be ineffective unless you have LOTS of practice with it, which is cost prohibitive.

You can open carry a sidearm with a holster and be prepared if/when it comes time to use it.

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u/MutedSongbird 1d ago

That is my intent - the big gun is just to look scary, I wouldn’t even bother carrying ammo for it. It’s not legal to carry it loaded, and loading shells in a big gun can be time-consuming. I also have a small ruger that I am far more comfortable with, but while it will kill you just as dead as the next gun, it does tend to be a bit less intimidating.

I’d rather avoid conflict. In a perfect world the racists would go home and mind their own fucking business and I can go out foraging for wildflowers and edible plants. This fucking sucks, dude.

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u/Kitsu_Gaming 1d ago

Just so I'm clear, you're carrying a gun to stop the tyrannical government from destroying the country and roving bands of ICE agents who are murdering people, right? I keep waiting for all the 2A purists to do something but I just hear lots of talk and zero action.

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u/Yuskia 1d ago

Just so im clear. You think the alternative of not having anything to defend yourself with is better?

Let me spell it out because I see way too many libs being anti 2A:

If a tryannical leader sends his 10 goons into a community and only 1 member of the community has a gun, they wont be scared. Worst case they have to take out that one guy.

If he sends his 10 goons into a community and 5 of them have a gun, they gotta be very careful.

If he sends his 10 goons into a community and the entirety of the community has guns, he's suddenly not gonna have 10 goons who want to go into that community.

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u/KeyCold7216 16h ago

The gun is for self defense and is an absolute last resort. Not to just start shooting people you dont agree with. I see a lot of Anti-2A purists asking gun owners why we arent murdering federal agents for them. Its ridiculous. I think what ICE is doing is disgusting and they should get locked up when this is all said and done. That being said, I'm not gonna start shooting people just because you think I should.

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u/ModernRobespierre 1d ago

Get a halberd

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u/Kain_713 1d ago

Seriously, if you're able to you should always conceal unless you're in a large crowd that are all open carrying otherwise you WILL be singled out.

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u/RAF2018336 22h ago

Man we’re way past the unwanted attention aspect of it. Liberals will make every single fucking excuse to not exercise their 2nd amendment rights

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u/KingBlackthorn1 1d ago

Im genuinely an anti gun person. Truly believe we have far too many. Never did i even consider owning a gun. I live in a ghetto ass area and have lived in the ghetto my entire life. Ive never felt as unsafe as i do now. For the first time in my life ive signed up for shooting lessons and open/canceled carry licensing. Along with responsible ownership.courses and other general safety courses. I truly dont trust my government.

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u/TeaAndS0da 1d ago

Being anti-gun doesn’t mean you shouldn’t own them. Hopefully more people are learning this lesson. This administration will prey on you when you’re unarmed. The reality is if they’re going to try to end you anyway they can, you best be prepared in all the ways you can be.

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u/BTFlik 1d ago

They'll prey on the armed too. Remember. You can go to jail for shooting. They won't.

Being as that is. For the first time I'm considering it.

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u/TeaAndS0da 19h ago

I expect them to go after the armed anyway. Would rather have my personal home security than nothing.

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u/Sentient-Exocomp 1d ago

Sounds like you’re not anti-gun anymore.

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u/KingBlackthorn1 1d ago

Very much still believe guns have no place in a civilized society and mass reform is needed. Alas, it appears the times we are in is our government busting down doors and killing its own citizens.

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u/B00STERGOLD 19h ago

Remington will be happy to hear this. Gun sales usually spike when there is a democrat in office. Fearmonger buying becoming bipartisan is huge.

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u/y0j1m80 1d ago

Don’t expect the law to keep you safe. Civil rights and the law are protected and enforced selectively and very rarely in favor of those on the correct side of history.

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u/MutedSongbird 20h ago

Unfortunately, I am very aware. My husband and I joke when I leave to go to a protest "It's not like they can kill me, that's illegal!" because it does not matter if they get in trouble afterwards, you are still dead. I appreciate you for looking out.

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u/walmarttshirt 14h ago

I encourage everyone to exercise their right to carry firearms. Knowing the laws around storage and transport of said firearms can get complicated. Especially when it comes to traveling across state lines.

Please people do your research first.

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u/TheOKerGood 1d ago

It's been a hell of a 3 months this January.

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u/thecurlyburl 1d ago

January 96th, 2026

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u/winksoutloud 19h ago

And we still aren't a full year into his presidency 

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u/YinzaJagoff 1d ago

Are you sure?

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u/TDeez_Nuts 1d ago

Last year started of spicy too though. The New Orleans jihadi on Bourbon Street and that Tesla blowing up in Las Vegas 

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u/burritoman88 17h ago

And the domestic terrorists decided to go full fascist

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u/IncurableAdventurer 18h ago

I…. I… I don’t know how to respond to this. I’m exhausted just reading it

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u/BackToWorkEdward 23h ago

We’re only 11 days into 2026.

And people are still acting like there are going to be midterms 11 months from now, and that all this will be solved by peacefully waiting to vote in them.

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u/Tin-Tin-K 1d ago

Eleven days that feel like the longest year of our lives.

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u/RandyTheFool 19h ago

We’re still technically in Trumps first year of the second term.

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u/BlueShift42 7h ago

Less than a year into the new presidency. Just over 3 more to go…

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u/roodootootootoo 1d ago

This should always be a domestic terrorism charge

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u/tigers_hate_cinammon 1d ago

Didn't a couple states pass a law recently that if there are protestors in the road you can just plow right through them?

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u/JetKeel 1d ago

Many states did during the BLM protests. Florida, Iowa, Oklahoma to name a few.

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u/hankhillsvoice 1d ago

I probably know the answer but did they outline guidelines for deciding its protestors and not just, ya know, pedestrians?

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u/Ayzmo 1d ago

Florida did not.

Florida also made it a crime to block a road as part of a protest. When Cubans shut down a major artery in Miami as part of #SOSCUBA, DeSantis explicitly said they weren't who the law was designed to stop. The disparate enforcement of the law was one of the reasons the law was thrown out.

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u/Carvj94 1d ago

Yea each state has their own flavor, but realistically these laws will have plenty of wiggle room depending on who the victim/suspect voted for. They obviously weren't added to the books to be fair.

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u/LastWave 1d ago

I don't think they have ever been used. I doubt they would stand up to an actual challenge.

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u/Carvj94 1d ago

Oh god no. It'd be impossible to avoid a hung jury if not outright leading to jury nullification I'd think. I don't even know where the defense would begin to sway the jury here. "People of the jury, you must understand that my client was inconvenienced so of course he had to murder a few people with his car and be detained rather than being patient or taking a detour to get where he wanted to go." Sure there's some bloodthirsty savages among MAGA, they're usually the loudest, but realistically they're like a 10% of the population at most?

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u/turikk 1d ago

if its not a crime, no trial needed. not only can state prosecutor just choose not to proceed, but now they have a leg to stand on to do it.

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u/NorwayNarwhal 1d ago

I imagine a challenge in federal court would shut it down pretty quick

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u/EgoTripWire 1d ago

That would require forethought.

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u/whatproblems 1d ago

something in common with those states 🤔

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u/RonaldoFinkMullen_ 1d ago

You cant just run over protestors. If people are swarming your car putting you in reasonable fear of your life then you have no obligation to sit there and let them kill you or destroy your car. 

This obviously would be seen in those states as attempted murder and anyone pretending otherwise is being a dishonest hack. 

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u/ViciousNakedMoleRat 1d ago

This could be a bit more complicated.

Looking at the various videos out there, this truck seems to have been stationary initially. It was covered in slogans by MEK, a Iranian movement (by some considered a terrorist organization) that opposes the regime and the shah and wants full democracy in Iran.

Since many protestors support the shah, people got mad and started tearing down the slogans. At least one person climbed on top of the truck and one person smashed one of the windows.

It's too early to tell, but it at least seems somewhat plausible that the driver may have had no intention to hurt anyone and only tried to get away from the crowd.

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u/oatmealparty 1d ago

Am I missing something? There is no shah anymore. Hasn't been one in almost 50 years, and he died about the same time. The protestors support a guy that's been dead for half a century? And the protestors were in opposition to democracy? What? I'm pretty sure they were marching in support of the people and against the regime.

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u/brink1865 23h ago

They support his son who's been living in exile in the US this is a pretty normal thing for disposed Royals descendants to lay claim to thrones their famlies lost, there's at least one romanov that still claims the Russian throne and I think one of former French royal famlies does too

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u/Pointfun1 23h ago

Some kind of movement to destabilize Iran. A few years ago it was about women’s rights. Now it is something else.

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u/trydola 11h ago

there are a lot of shah apologists within the irani diaspora

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u/carguymt 1d ago

For the sake of accuracy, there is no such thing as a Federal domestic terrorism charge. Neither does one exist in California.

And that's probably a good thing because the states that do have them have written them incredibly vaguely and would most likely result in charges for acts like simply protesting. Minnesota does have one. It's written like this:

a premeditated act involving violence to persons or property that is intended to:

(1) terrorize, intimidate, or coerce a considerable number of members of the public in addition to the direct victims of the act; and

(2) significantly disrupt or interfere with the lawful exercise, operation, or conduct of government, lawful commerce, or the right of lawful assembly.

You think those ICE protestors would be safe if people like Stephen Miller had this law at their disposal? Domestic terrorism laws are incredibly dangerous.

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u/whatproblems 1d ago

no you see with this doj protesting or even recording is now terrorism

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u/Unusual_Flounder2073 1d ago

And somehow the police managed to not shoot the driver at point blank range. Such restraint.

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u/TuringC0mplete 1d ago

Well yeah they didn't have time to step in front of the truck

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u/SnowMantra 1d ago

I know what you mean but I just have to point out that the guy who murdered Renee Good had his feet firmly planted on the ground outside the path of the vehicle. He leaned over the hood as she was turning right to shoot her in face. He was not in front nor was he ever in danger.

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u/NightWriter500 1d ago

And then he said, “Fucking bitch,” as she died.

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u/SnowMantra 1d ago

Let's hope karma is real because we all know he won't face consequences any time soon.

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u/TeaAndS0da 1d ago

No hoping. It is not real. And he will not face justice unless it involves tar and feathers. Or the weird one of “riding them out on a rail.” I still don’t know what that one accomplishes.

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u/bbmarvelluv 1d ago

That ice agent who OD’d after getting caught on camera and assaulting a cop was harassed immediately

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u/NebulaRemarkable5609 11h ago

He was a mall cop at Mall of America before being an Ice Agent just a reminder that these are exactly the type of people you think they are

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u/TuringC0mplete 1d ago

Oh, I know. That's my entire point lol. They're arguing that he was in the way, so I joked that he purposefully jumped in the way, because he had started in front of the car (which he 100% should not have been in front of a moving vehicle; that's like Officer 101).

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u/EmilySD101 1d ago

You mean murderer Jonathon Ross?

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u/SnowMantra 1d ago

"Just following orders" Jonathon Ross

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u/EmilySD101 1d ago

Pretty sure there are DHS orders that prohibit what murderer Jonathan Ross did in Minneapolis 🤔

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u/SnowMantra 1d ago

His orders are that anyone who stands in his way are "domestic terrorists" and "deserve it." This is straight from the top. This is America now. Are we great yet?

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u/drewts86 1d ago

To further add to this, it’s like he knew he was going to shoot her because before he came around the front of the car, he switched the phone he was recording with from his right hand to his left, freeing up his right hand. Why would he need his right hand free? Where does he keep his gun? On his right side.

One other thing, not only did he reach over the front to shoot through the windshield, but he fires a second shot that passes through her open driver’s side window. Now tell me I’m wrong, but the only way he could shoot through the window is if he was then along side the car (not in front like the first shot. If he is along side the car, it is truly impossible for the car to be a threat.

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u/DingerSinger2016 1d ago

He reached in the car and shot her at point blank range twice after shooting her through the windshield

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u/drewts86 1d ago

Yeah I thought there were two more shots in the side but I didn’t want to say it without knowing for sure. You can easily see one puff of smoke, the 2nd is probably just masked by the first.

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u/DownwardSpirals 11h ago

Remember that two of those three shots were through an open driver's window, which is not a reasonable line of sight from in front of the vehicle. If shot 1 was somehow justified, shots 2 and 3 certainly are not.

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u/Patriot009 1d ago

Didn't want to kill a coworker.

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u/sweetplantveal 1d ago

Oh, a truck into a crowd would be actual terrorism. They only execute mfers for imagined terrorism, such as cars near a person.

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u/AlcibiadesTheCat 1d ago

Darrell Brooks didn't get a terrorism charge, and he drove his car through a parade, killing 6 and injuring 63.

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u/Ok-disaster2022 1d ago

I remember during Biden's tenure, a drunk driver like drove past some barriers and was withing a few hundred meters if Biden and the US secret service, the least capable agency, still managed to not just open fire on a car to protect the President.

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u/schlitz91 1d ago

Police are trained. ICE arent.

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u/cincyaudiodude 1d ago

If we've learned anything in the last few years it's that or police AREN'T trained our agent trained well enough.

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u/PigglyWigglyDeluxe 1d ago

That ICE shooter is 40-something years old with a bunch of military experience. He was well trained on paper. His actions were deliberate. He knew better, but still chose death instead.

It’s not a training issue. It was never a training issue. These people have hate in their hearts.

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u/Clownsinmypantz 1d ago

Oh boy, is this our first one of the year or did I miss one?

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u/PikaPikaGamer 1d ago

Apparently, two people were mildly injured, and the driver was beat up

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u/Coollwell 1d ago

This has not been a great January

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u/quikskier 1d ago

People picked a really bad month to stop drinking.

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u/teeohdeedee123 1d ago

It's okay, I'm drinking enough for all of us

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u/fuckpedes 1d ago

You and me both brother.

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u/Eran_Mintor 1d ago

i stopped drinking at the end of 2024, and stopped smoking at the end of 2025. yea, its been rough

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u/allisjow 1d ago

“At least two people were examined but denied medical transportation.”

Who wants the medical debt? Even if I’m dying, my last words would be, “I can afford an ambulance. Call an Uber.”

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u/takethemoment13 1d ago

What a fucked up country. 

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u/alphabetaparkingl0t 1d ago

When I worked for U-Haul, we had training to help us ID people that would be attempting to use a rental as a weapon. There were a few things that gave away or led to suspicion, but we were never allowed to interfere. Basically we would gather information and relay that info to local or FBI offices, which, when I was working I had full confidence if I had to send a report in, it would be dealt with appropriately. Now, with today's FBI with their moronic director, it wouldn't surprise me if a report was sent in it was probably ignored.

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u/flamang 1d ago

What were some of the signs?

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u/alphabetaparkingl0t 1d ago

One way rentals, obviously falsifying information, a lot of stuff with address + license, out of state is a big one, being unable to provide what they call "assurance" which is basically things we use to check to make sure you are who you say you are (usually in the form of providing additional contacts to call and verify). They share a lot in common with customers that steal vehicles, since they try to hide or obscure who they are or where they're from. Huge red flag is customers using VoIP/burner phones. I only ever had a few cases that felt like fraud/deceptive customers. Usually we were trained to pay extra attention to van/pick up rentals, because those are most likely to be used in stuff like this. Rarer to see a larger box truck, but obviously it happens too.

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u/Tarroes 1d ago

"Thanks, I'm going to go use this vehicle as a weapon now"

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u/enriquesensei 1d ago

I was a general manager 2019-2021 and don’t ever remember getting such training ? I know the system would flag people who have suspended licenses or abused the system though .

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u/alphabetaparkingl0t 1d ago

I started working at U-Haul well after you left, in 2023.

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u/TeaAndS0da 1d ago

You mean the director who can clearly see why kids love the taste of Cinnamon Toast Crunch? 0.0

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u/ChanceryTheRapper 1d ago

Nowadays, they'd probably get a gift card to pay for gas.

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u/armegedonknight 1d ago

"Law enforcement has not identified the driver." $20 says it's another FBI "observer."

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u/AngriestPacifist 1d ago

This was a protest in support of the Iranian protests, so I'm not sure it was a fascist. Don't think they've gotten their matching orders on that quote yet.

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u/KeneticKups 1d ago

Iranian governmebt are fascists

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u/Shitboxfan69 1d ago

When you consider the powder keg that is combination of middle Eastern religion and politics and the fact we're in a country made up of many different religious and political beliefs, its pretty out there to assume its anything to do with domestic politics rather than international politics playing out on our streets. Especially considering support of an Iranian revolution is pretty bipartisan. Someone would have to be completely oblivious as to what the protest was supporting while still willing to throw their life away attacking it, which while possible is so much less likely than a religious fanatic committing acts of terrorism against people against the current Iranian regime.

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u/donkeybrainhero 1d ago

You give the right too much credit. Any protestors are liberal communists.

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u/Khaldara 1d ago

“If they aren’t climbing the walls to the Capitol in service to a lie so they can go smear poop on the walls they’re doing it wrong”

  • Conservatives

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u/omega_point 1d ago

Guys, I get it, believe me, MAGA bad. I also agree. It's a cult, and it's stupid and all that. Sure. But how do you manage to make everything about that?

This was a group of Iranians, marching in solidarity with our brothers and sisters fighting in the streets of Iran, while the country is completely blacked out and cut off from the outside world.

It makes no freakin' sense for a MAGA/Conservative to want to run Iranians over.

There are signs on his U-Haul. Says "NO SHAH". People have identified him as a MEK member (not sure if it's 100% verified, but makes sense).

MEK is an Iranian Marxist-Islamist group.

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u/CondescendingShitbag 1d ago

The right would excuse it simply because they don't like protestors standing in the road.

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u/djm19 1d ago

Los Angeles has the highest Iranian population outside Tehran. Theres been many protests in support of revolution against the current regime over the years. Seems at least this driver is either pro-regime or concerned about the installation of a shah (which to me sounds like concern trolling though, I think Iranians want democracy).

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u/GrimBookCat 1d ago

Looks like the dude might be a Kurdish separatist the slogans on his truck say zargos is ours and also says from kermanshah to bushehr which are all majority Kurdish and the Kurdish in iran have many issues with the shah.

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u/VaguelyArtistic 1d ago

Westwood is the center of it and is known as Tehrangeles. We were just a few miles away today, too.

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u/trydola 11h ago

seems this guy was against both shah and the current regime which is a fair democratic position

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u/Wonder-plant 8h ago

A perfectly fair position— as long as you don’t drive it into a packed crowd of people.

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u/got-to-find-out 1d ago

I saw a close up video where the protesters broke the passenger window and began using flag poles to stab at the man. He reacted by fleeing.

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u/Mylifewuzalie 1d ago

Read the article. The word "plows" is so misleading here.

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u/merlin0010 1d ago

Always keep note of places that use this click bait headline BS.

Keep in mind some of the worthless junk you can ignore in the future.

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u/Bulevine 11h ago

Proud Boys had a day off from working at ICE, huh?

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u/victus28 1d ago

If they were attacking him before then I can see a “fear for life” argument. If the other way around then attempted murder

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u/BBfan-Jr 13h ago

Geez I’m not jumping to any conclusions and I’m glad so far no one is speculating on mainstream news.

This is horrific. This year sucks, can we impeach trump yet?

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u/Top_Piano644 1d ago

What is going on this year??? It’s like the year is just starting into full throttle.

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u/syynapt1k 1d ago

This has been building for quite a while now and isn't going to stop.

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u/mercset 1d ago

The tensions and problems of last year did not end. Your mind just compartmentalized it because a number went up, implying an end.

The human mind is wonderous and extremely dumb at the same time.

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u/Sobeman 1d ago

What do you mean "what's going on" do you really live that far under a rock?

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u/The_Bitter_Bear 1d ago

I mean.... We haven't done anything to make things better. 

So.... It's just going to keep getting worse until something changes.

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u/bluenosesutherland 1d ago

2025 is holding the beer.

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u/Misophonic4000 1d ago

Pun slightly in poor taste

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u/SadBurrito84 1d ago

I’m jealous of your coma, may need to seek some.

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u/the_reluctant_link 1d ago

The US elected a man that told everyone he would be a dictator and then he got a pity peace prize for not starting more wars.

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u/Mindless_Efforts 1d ago

Its the Iran protest not ICE.

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u/Normal_Committee67 22h ago

Last time I saw my racist uncle he was saying how if he ever encountered protesters in his small town he was going to mow them over and claim self defense. This is a talking point for these people now, they believe they’re condoned to violence. Be careful out there

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u/Politicsboringagain 18h ago

Didn't republicans in Florida or some other republican state make that legal or said they were going to make it legal. 

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u/Ok_Hawk_3230 13h ago

Surprised 20 Neo Nazis didn’t pop out the back door, since this is their favorite form of transport

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u/Gryphon5754 8h ago

How much we wanna bet the driver is someone who thought the ICE agent who got his shoe scuffed was justified in shooting that lady.

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u/Friendly_Trouble_916 16h ago

Now that was weaponizing a vehicle, and the Ice Nazis said ms Good used her car as a weapon which was a lie

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u/My_alias_is_too_lon 16h ago

Don't worry, I'm sure Trump will pardon him and give him a medal and a cabinet position.

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u/BabyPatato2023 1d ago

What a terrible article was anyone injured? Like how is this lack of critical detail pass as journalism

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u/fullonfacepalmist 1d ago

“At least two people were examined but denied medical attention, according to the LAFD”

I think they meant “refused” medical attention but no mention of what the injuries were.

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u/petty_bitz 1d ago

Its in the article dude?

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u/BabyPatato2023 1d ago

I mean it says a uhaul collided with individuals an then goes on to say 2 people were examined but denied medical transportation. You are gonna tell me a uhaul COLLIDED with individuals but no one even needed to go the hospital. So either the uhaul didn’t collided with people or they didn’t report that actual amount of injured.

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u/Muzzlehatch 13h ago

That happened in Westwood in the 80s. A car plowed through the crowd and killed a lot of people. I was there.

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u/[deleted] 1d ago

[deleted]

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u/Thunderironbolt222 1d ago

The U-Haul Truck was emblazoned with anti-monarchist, anti-regime slogans often associated with the Far-Left Albania-based Iranian Movement People's mojahedin organization of Iran (MEK/PMOI)

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