Blind man dragged, detained by federal agents at Portland ICE protest
Quinn Haberl believes his disability and diminutive stature are precisely why six federal agents descended upon him during a protest outside the U.S. Immigration and Customs and Enforcement facility in South Portland last weekend and dragged him into the building.
“I think they wanted to make a point,” said Haberl, who is 4-foot-6 and legally blind. “So they picked the weakest person they could find and made a big show out of it.”
Haberl’s detention Saturday, captured in jarring photographs and video footage, is among the latest instances of federal law enforcement officers employing aggressive tactics against Portland demonstrators who don’t appear to present a clear physical threat.
It was also the second time in a single week that federal officers used physical force against Haberl while he was seated by himself on the sidewalk near the driveway of the ICE facility, a frequent flash point in the monthslong clash over President Donald Trump’s immigration policies.
Still, the 36-year-old said he was undeterred and would soon return.
“What happened to me is not OK,” he told The Oregonian/OregonLive in an interview Monday. “What’s happening to others is not OK.”
An ICE spokesperson did not respond to a request for comment Monday.
“I think they wanted to make a point,” said Haberl, who is 4-foot-6 and legally blind. “So they picked the weakest person they could find and made a big show out of it.”
Haberl’s detention Saturday, captured in jarring photographs and video footage, is among the latest instances of federal law enforcement officers employing aggressive tactics against Portland demonstrators who don’t appear to present a clear physical threat.
It was also the second time in a single week that federal officers used physical force against Haberl while he was seated by himself on the sidewalk near the driveway of the ICE facility, a frequent flash point in the monthslong clash over President Donald Trump’s immigration policies.
Still, the 36-year-old said he was undeterred and would soon return.
“What happened to me is not OK,” he told The Oregonian/OregonLive in an interview Monday. “What’s happening to others is not OK.”
An ICE spokesperson did not respond to a request for comment Monday.
