Councilman Ossé Arrested Blocking Bed-Stuy Eviction

TL;DR

Ossé Arrested: Brooklyn Councilmember Chi Ossé was detained and arrested by NYPD during a protest blocking an eviction at a Bed-Stuy home.
Use of Force: Video shows officers pushing Ossé to the ground, handcuffing him with a knee on his back after he said "Get off of me."
Deed Theft Fight: Incident highlights Ossé's push against Black homeowner displacement via deed theft, with calls for eviction moratorium.

The story at a glance

Brooklyn Councilmember Chi Ossé was arrested by NYPD officers while protesting an eviction at constituent Carmella Charrington's Bed-Stuy home, where she has lived for six decades. Police responded to city marshals' backup call after protesters blocked entry under a court order, issuing warnings before arrests over an hour and a half later. Ossé was released shortly after, facing charges of obstructing governmental administration and disorderly conduct; the event spotlights deed theft affecting Black homeowners.

Key points

Ossé represents Bedford-Stuyvesant and part of Crown Heights; he was arrested at 212 Jefferson Avenue early Wednesday.
Video from Ossé's office shows two officers grappling with him, pushing him down, and one kneeling on his back to handcuff him amid crowd shouts.
His office statement links the arrest to defending against "Black displacement" and deed theft, advocating an eviction moratorium for affected homeowners.
NYPD says arrests followed verbal warnings to protesters; Ossé reported being "manhandled" by three officers, with his head hitting pavement.
City Council Speaker Julie Menin called videos "concerning," visited Ossé at the 79th Precinct, and said he would be released shortly.
Four other protesters remain in custody per Ossé; Mayor Zohran Mamdani praised Ossé's deed theft efforts and confirmed contact with Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch.

Details and context

The eviction targeted Carmella Charrington after six decades in her home, part of broader deed theft issues in Brooklyn where Black homeowners lose properties. Ossé's office has pushed for months for an eviction moratorium as a minimum protection, stating families cannot wait and vowing daily fights until deed theft ends.

Police arrived after city marshals called for backup due to protesters blocking the home's entry for a court-ordered eviction. The first arrest occurred more than 90 minutes after NYPD arrival, following verbal warnings to disperse.

Ossé was held at the 79th Precinct, released with a desk appearance ticket; he described rough treatment including being slammed on concrete but said his hands were visible and he did not attack officers.

Key quotes

Ossé to reporters: “I did not attack an officer. My hands were visible to the officers. I was manhandled by three men... They slammed me against the concrete. I believe there was a knee on my back at some point.”
Ossé's office statement: “Black displacement is happening right now in Bed-Stuy and Carmella is one of many Black homeowners battling deed theft in Brooklyn.”

Why it matters

The arrest underscores tensions between police enforcement of court-ordered evictions and elected officials protesting deed theft displacing Black homeowners in Brooklyn neighborhoods like Bed-Stuy. It highlights Ossé's frontline role in advocating protections like eviction moratoriums, drawing attention from City Council and mayoral leadership. Watch for updates on charges against Ossé and the four remaining detainees, plus any policy responses to deed theft.

What changed

Before the protest, city marshals were set to evict Charrington under court order without interference. Protesters including Ossé blocked entry, leading to NYPD arrests starting over 90 minutes after arrival. Ossé was released shortly after with charges and a desk ticket; four others remain in custody as of his statement.

FAQ

Q: Why was Councilmember Chi Ossé arrested?

A: Ossé was arrested while protesting and blocking an eviction at constituent Carmella Charrington's Bed-Stuy home, after NYPD issued verbal warnings to disperse following a backup call from city marshals. Video shows officers pushing him to the ground and handcuffing him with a knee on his back. He faces one count of obstructing governmental administration and two counts of disorderly conduct.

Q: What is deed theft in this context?

A: Deed theft refers to Black homeowners in Brooklyn, like Charrington, losing properties after six decades, contributing to displacement in Bed-Stuy. Ossé's office calls it a current crisis and has pushed for months for an eviction moratorium as bare-minimum protection. They state no more Black homeowners should have homes stolen until it ends.

Q: How did officials respond to Ossé's arrest?

A: City Council Speaker Julie Menin called videos "concerning," spoke to Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch, visited Ossé at the 79th Precinct, and said he would be released shortly. Mayor Zohran Mamdani called it "incredibly concerning," praised Ossé's deed theft work, and confirmed contact with Tisch. Ossé urged officials including Mamdani to help release four other arrested protesters still in custody.

Q: What did Ossé say about his treatment during arrest?

A: Ossé told reporters he was treated "rough," with his head hitting pavement hard after being manhandled by three officers who slammed him on concrete. He said a knee was on his back at some point, but his hands were visible and he did not attack anyone. It takes effort to lift him, but they managed it.