VIDEO: Blind man dragged by federal agents into Portland ICE facility

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) – KOIN 6 News has obtained footage of a blind man being violently detained by federal agents at the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement building in South Portland.

These videos, each taken from different sides of the building on Saturday, show Guinn Haberl wearing a neon vest and sitting on the side of the driveway to the facility. Next to him is a thick blue line on the ground, which federal agents made to indicate when protesters are crossing onto the federal property — effectively allowing them to arrest people for trespassing.

That’s when the videos show several federal agents circling around Haberl before grabbing him by his limbs and carrying him into the ICE building before dropping him on his head.

They can then be seen dragging him past the gate with more agents getting involved, cuffing him as the man wiggles on the ground. One agent could be seen picking up Haberi’s white cane. 

Two men who saw the incident unfold Saturday night said Haberl is a joy to be around — usually dancing and having a good time while protesting outside of ICE.

“It was heartbreaking to see him being dragged the way he was,” one of the men said. “The visceral reaction was to just not continue videotaping and get the angle, but I just couldn’t keep it out. I had to keep him in frame. I had to keep him in frame and it just hurt my heart.”

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?”

KOIN 6 News 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 spoke with KOIN 6 News over the phone. He said he is too emotional to speak as of Tuesday — too afraid even to leave his home. But he does want his story told.

Haberi 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 6 News also reached out to the FBI for updated arrest data. The agency said they are no longer releasing daily arrest data and are switching to a weekly announcement.

Stay with KOIN 6 News as this story develops.