Council Member Chi Ossé arrested, thrown to ground by NYPD, during deed theft eviction protest • Brooklyn Paper
A video screengrab reveals Council Member Chi Ossé being arrested by NYPD officers during an arrest at a Bed-Stuy eviction protest tied to an alleged deed theft case.
Brooklyn Council Member Chi Ossé was arrested earlier this morning whereas “attempting to prevent deed theft eviction,” in accordance to a put up on Instagram.
A video posted to his account reveals the pol in a confrontation with an officer, audibly telling them to “get off him.” Officers then pull him over a fence, the place he had been mendacity on the ground, and place him underneath arrest. Onlookers gathered close by might be heard protesting, shouting “What are you doing?” and “No,” as he’s led to a police car.
The incident occurred at 212 Jefferson Ave. in Bedford-Stuyvesant, the place a rally was held to help a home-owner going through a dispute over the property.
In a press release shared on his account, Ossé’s workplace stated: “Council Member Chi Ossé was just arrested while defending his constituent, Carmella Charrington, from eviction. This is the result of deed theft and the ongoing displacement of Black homeowners in Bed-Stuy. Our office is closely monitoring this situation and will provide updates as this develops.”
They added that their workplace has “pushed for an eviction moratorium for homeowners facing deed theft.”
“Not another Black homeowner should have their home stolen. Until theft ends, we will fight every day.”
Ossé, who represents New York City’s District 36 overlaying Bed-Stuy and North Crown Heights, has been a staunch advocate in opposition to deed theft in his district, often called the “illegal transfer of property ownership without a homeowner’s knowledge or consent.” In March, he stood by Borough President Antonio Reynoso and others petitioning to assist “Black and Brown homeowners in rapidly gentrifying neighborhoods where property values are skyrocketing.”
At that press convention, Ossé pointed to his circle of relatives’s expertise, saying his grandmother had been affected by deed theft — fueling his dedication to the difficulty.
“One of the results and reasons for that is deed theft that is impacting the streets of Black Brooklyn,” he stated. “Deed theft is one of the most cruel crimes committed in our city. “It is abuse inflicted primarily on the seniors who built our communities.”
Mayor Zohran Mamdani known as the arrest of Ossé “incredibly concerning” and stated his administration would observe up on each the circumstances of the arrest and the housing dispute that prompted the protest.
Speaking at an unrelated press convention in Queens, Mamdani stated Ossé had been “on the front lines” of efforts to fight theft — a problem he stated is very prevalent within the council member’s district — and praised his work to preserve consideration on the issue whereas defending a constituent from eviction.
In a statement on XCouncil Speaker Julie Menin stated she has “seen the concerning video of my colleague being aggressively pushed to the ground and arrested during a protest.”
Menin added that his workplace is in contact with Ossé’s staff and the NYPD to guarantee he’s launched “quickly and safely.”
Ossé is at present being held on the 79th Precinct, his workplace stated. At 10:57 am, his workplace posted on Instagram urging Brooklyn residents to “show up” on the precinct to “call for his release” and to help efforts addressing deed theft.
The NYPD didn’t instantly reply to a request for remark.
Additional reporting by Adam Daly and Gabriele Holtermann
This is a breaking information story. Check again for extra updates.
