62-Year-Old Woman Faces Charges After Driving Through Anti-ICE Protest in New Jersey
Linda Roglen, a 62-year-old resident of North Bergen, New Jersey, has found herself at the center of a legal storm after an incident involving a group of anti-ICE protesters escalated dramatically. The confrontation occurred outside Noches De Colombia on Fairview Avenue as Roglen was attempting to navigate through the protest on a Saturday afternoon.
As she drove past, a protester approached her vehicle, prompting Roglen to accelerate, allegedly running over the individual’s foot in the process. This prompted chaos, with the man collapsing to the ground and other protesters surrounding her car, banging on the windows in an increasingly aggressive manner.
In a scene reminiscent of a high-tension drama, Roglen decided to slowly drive through the throng, during which at least one protester was seen throwing an object at her vehicle as she made her exit.
The entire incident was captured on video from various angles and made its way to social media, where reactions ranged from outrage among leftist commentators to support from those who believed she acted out of self-preservation.
Newly obtained video footage shows a driver striking protesters twice during a July 12 immigration rally on Fairview Avenue in Fairview, New Jersey. pic.twitter.com/rlnYBRatU0
— HudPost (@hudpost) July 12, 2025
Common sense prevailed among some observers, who argued that Roglen’s actions were justified given the threatening nature of the situation. However, according to the New York Post, she has been charged with multiple offenses, including “careless driving, reckless driving, leaving the scene of an accident, and four counts of assault by auto resulting in bodily injury.”
Reports indicate that three protesters sustained minor injuries during the incident. Interestingly, New Jersey lacks specific legal protections for drivers in such situations; there is no statute that shields them from civil or criminal liability when confronted by protesters surrounding their vehicle. In contrast, other states like Florida, Oklahoma, and Iowa have introduced laws that afford limited protective measures for drivers in instances of obstructed roadways.
New Jersey’s legal landscape does not include a “stand your ground” law. Instead, the state imposes a general duty to retreat if it can be done safely before resorting to force. Nevertheless, the concept of self-defense may apply if one reasonably believes that immediate force is necessary to ward off unlawful aggression or if retreat is not a viable option.
