PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) Newly released videos capture a disturbing scene where a blind man is forcefully apprehended by federal officers at the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility in South Portland.
The clips, filmed from different angles around the building on Saturday, depict Quinn Haberl, identifiable by his bright neon vest, seated beside the driveway leading to the facility. A bold blue line painted on the ground beside him, drawn by federal agents, serves as a marker to signify when demonstrators step onto federal property, thus justifying arrests for trespassing.
The footage reveals multiple federal officers surrounding Haberl, seizing him by his limbs, and transporting him toward the ICE premises, before he is dropped headfirst.
Subsequently, the agents are seen dragging him beyond the gate, as additional officers join in to handcuff him while he writhes on the surface. One officer is observed retrieving Haberl’s white cane.
Eyewitnesses to the Saturday night incident described Haberl as typically cheerful, often seen dancing and enjoying himself during protests outside the ICE building.
“Witnessing him being dragged in such a manner was truly heartbreaking,” one observer expressed. “My instinct was to stop recording and change the angle, but I couldn’t bring myself to look away. I felt compelled to keep him in view, and it pained me deeply.”
The other man, Sterling Anderson, said it was shocking to witness.
“You can see in the video where I’m very vocal, and then you can see my breath and my breath was taken away,” Anderson said. “It’s like, what threat does that man represent to, you know, agents of the state or property?”
Nexstar’s KOIN reached out to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, which sent the following statement:
“This rioter was arrested after he blatantly disobeyed law enforcement orders to remain off federal property, obstructed law enforcement, and continued to block the driveway so vehicles could not enter or exit the ICE facility.”
Haberl told KOIN over the phone that he was too emotional to speak as of Tuesday too afraid even to leave his home. But he does want his story told.
Haberl said he is being charged with failure to comply. His friends set up a GoFundMe to help him with medical bills and legal support.
KOIN also reached out to the FBI for updated arrest data. The agency said they are no longer releasing daily arrest data, switching to a weekly announcement instead.
