A Brooklyn councilmember was forcefully detained and arrested by the NYPD on Wednesday amid a protest of a slated eviction against one of his constituents.
Councilmember Chi Ossé, who represents Bedford-Stuyvesant and part of Crown Heights, was taken into custody by police “while defending his constituent, Carmella Charrington, from eviction after six decades in her home,” according to a statement from his office.
In a video shared by Ossé’s office, the councilman is seen in a confrontation with two officers in front of a home in Bed-Stuy. As the officers grapple with Ossé, he can be heard saying, “Get off of me.” The pair of officers then can be seen pushing Ossé down on the ground as one begins to place him in handcuffs while kneeling on the councilman’s back. As Ossé’ is taken away, the assembled crowd can be heard screaming, “What are you doing?” and “Shame!”
Ossé’s staff confirmed the councilmember’s arrest in a statement, saying that he’s being held at the 79th Precinct in Brooklyn. “Black displacement is happening right now in Bed-Stuy and Carmella is one of many Black homeowners battling deed theft in Brooklyn,” the statement read. “For months, our office has pushed for an eviction moratorium for homeowners facing deed theft. These protections are the bare minimum, and families cannot wait any longer. Not another Black homeowner should have their home stolen. Until deed theft ends, we will fight every single day.”
The incident took place at 212 Jefferson Avenue in Bed-Stuy early Wednesday morning. According to NYPD officials, officers arrived on the scene after city marshals called for backup due to protesters blocking entry to a home where they were under court order to carry out an eviction. Per a department spokesperson, Ossé’s arrest came after the assembled group of protesters was given verbal warnings to leave the scene.
City Council Speaker Julie Menin weighed in on social media, describing the videos of Ossé’s arrest as “concerning.” In a subsequent post, she said she has spoken to Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch as well as traveled to the 79th Precinct, where she met with Ossé. “We are told he will be released shortly,” she said.
Shortly after, Ossé was released from custody. According to Politico, which shared video of his release, the councilman is facing one count of obstructing governmental administration and two counts of disorderly conduct and will receive a ticket for a desk appearance:
Ossé told reporters outside the Precinct that he was treated “rough” by the officers during his arrest, saying that his head “hit the pavement pretty hard.”
“I did not attack an officer. My hands were visible to the officers. I was manhandled by three men. It takes a lot to lift me off the ground, but they were able to do so. They slammed me against the concrete. I believe there was a knee on my back at some point,” he said.
The councilman said four other people who were arrested alongside him are still in custody and he urged other elected officials, including Mayor Zohran Mamdani to help push for their release.
Mamdani had not seen video of Ossé’s arrest when asked about it at an unrelated press conference on Wednesday. But he called the incident described by reporters as “incredibly concerning” and said his office would follow up.
“I know he’s been on the front lines of fighting deed theft. It’s especially prevalent in his Council district, and I appreciate, frankly, the efforts that he’s led in the past to make sure this is front of mind for all of us,” Mamdani said.
The mayor issued a later statement, saying he had seen footage of the councilman’s arrest and said he was in touch with Tisch about “the nature of the release.”
“It is a pleasure to work alongside Council Member Ossé, a leader in his community and a partner in building a safer and more affordable New York City. I am grateful he is out of custody,” Mamdani said on social media.
