New video footage captures a blind man being forcefully detained by federal agents outside the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility in South Portland.
The clips, shot from multiple angles on Saturday, show Quinn Haberl wearing a neon vest and sitting near the driveway of the building. A thick blue line on the ground marked the boundary of federal property, signaling where agents could intervene if people crossed onto the premises. The footage shows agents surrounding Haberl, grabbing him by his arms and legs, and carrying him toward the ICE building, where he is dropped and later dragged past the gate while being handcuffed. At one point, an agent picks up Haberl’s white cane.
Witnesses described the incident as disturbing. One observer said, “It was heartbreaking to see him being dragged the way he was. I couldn’t look away.” Another, Sterling Anderson, added, “You can see in the video my breath was taken away. What threat does that man pose to the agents or property?”
Authorities stated that Haberl was arrested for “blatantly disobeying law enforcement orders to remain off federal property, obstructing law enforcement, and blocking the driveway,” and he is facing charges for failure to comply. Haberl told reporters he is too emotional and fearful to leave his home but wants his story shared. Friends have set up a GoFundMe to assist with medical and legal expenses. The FBI confirmed it no longer releases daily arrest data, instead issuing weekly updates.
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