CHICAGO (WGN) — A woman has been arrested and charged after driving through a crowd of anti-ICE protesters nearly two weeks ago in downtown Chicago.
The Chicago Police Department identified 30-year-old Dierdre Kemp as the suspect. She faces one felony count each of aggressive reckless driving causing bodily harm and aggravated fleeing causing bodily injury. Additionally, Kemp is charged with a misdemeanor for driving on a suspended license, along with citations for operating an uninsured motor vehicle and failing to comply with police officers.
Kemp surrendered at the 1st District Chicago police station on South State Street on Thursday, June 19, where she was taken into custody.
On June 10, a large anti-ICE protest began at Federal Plaza and spread through downtown streets, extending to DuSable Lake Shore Drive. While largely peaceful, WGN cameras captured a vehicle driving through the crowd of marching protesters.
During the incident, 66-year-old Heather Blair was struck by the vehicle while standing in the roadway. Blair suffered a fractured arm, bruised ribs, and damaged teeth. She was treated and released from Northwestern Hospital the following day.
Blair described the incident: “Because it was accelerating and not just driving at a steady pace or a slow pace, I thought this is an attack.”
Authorities noted Kemp has prior battery charges: a domestic battery case from December 2014 and a battery charge from April 28, 2025.
