A New York City councilman was thrown to the ground and arrested while he says he was trying to protect a constituent on Wednesday morning.
Chi Ossé was among four people arrested during a demonstration around 7:30 a.m. along Jefferson and Nostrand avenues.
The councilman has been protesting deed theft and other controversial real estate deals robbing longtime residents of their generational wealth.
Ossé said he was there to defend his constituent, Carmella Charrington, from eviction by the Department of Finance and the NYC Sheriff’s Office.
He said the eviction was a result of deed theft and the ongoing displacement of Black homeowners in Bed-Stuy.
Charrington is embroiled in a legal dispute with real estate spectators about who owns the property. When officials went to evict her on Wednesday morning, protesters, including Ossé, blocked the building’s entrance.
Ossé is accused of pushing past officers to block a legal eviction of the property. Police say he physically resisted officers, “appearing to flail his arms and hands to prevent officers from restraining him.”
With no room to maneuver Ossé, as he was against the gate of the house, officers had to “maneuver him and end up taking him down for arrest, as is within guidelines for making an arrest for someone committing obstruction of governmental administration.”
Ossé is being charged with obstruction of governmental administration and two counts of disorderly conduct. He was released from the police precinct with a desk appearance ticket.
He the other three arrested remain in custody and he called for their swift release.
Mayor Zohran Mamdani was asked about the arrest at an unrelated event on Wednesday morning. He said it was concerning.
“That’s something we are going to follow up on, not only the nature of this arrest, but also what was the underlying issues that are being protested,” Mamdani said. “I know he has been on the front lines of fighting deed theft, it’s especially prevalent in his council district and I appreciate frankly the efforts he had in the past in ensuring it is front of mind for all of us.”
Attorney General Letitia James said she is disturbed by videos of the arrest.
“My office is leading the fight to keep New Yorkers in their homes, and we have been in contact with the resident of this home for over a year to offer guidance and advice on her legal battle,” James said in a statement.
FILE – Councilmember Chi Ossé, D-Brooklyn, addresses a rally outside of City Hall in support of the FARE Act ahead of a City Council meeting, Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024. AP Photo/Adam Gray
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