NEW YORK — Brooklyn Council Member Chi Ossé was launched from police custody Wednesday after officers arrested him throughout a protest tied to an alleged deed theft eviction in Bedford-Stuyvesant.
Video circulating on-line reveals officers taking Ossé, a Haitian American representing District 36, into custody as demonstrators gathered to oppose the eviction of a house owner concerned in a property dispute.
Following his launch, Ossé stated he was injured through the arrest and plans to file a grievance in opposition to the officers concerned. He additionally known as for a citywide moratorium on deed theft-related circumstances, a requirement he first launched in February.
“I’ve a concussion from the NYPD shoving me into the pavement, however I consider I shall be okay,” Ossé additionally stated through Instagram after his launch.
Wednesday’s arrest occurred throughout an tried eviction of Carmella Charrington from 212 Jefferson Avenue, a brownstone estimated at almost $2 million that has been in her household for generations. Police stated officers responded after marshals reported they may not perform a court-ordered eviction on account of protesters blocking entry. Authorities issued warnings, then made a number of arrests on obstruction of governmental administration and disorderly conduct costs.
Ossé was held on the 79th Precinct earlier than his launch later that day.
Mayor Zohran Mamdani addressed the arrest on X, saying he was “grateful” Ossé had been launched and describing him as a accomplice in efforts to make New York Metropolis extra inexpensive. He stated he was in contact with the police commissioner in regards to the nature of the arrest.
Deed theft activism
The viral confrontation has intensified ongoing debates about deed theft — the unlawful switch of property possession with no home-owner’s information — and its impression on Black householders in neighborhoods going through speedy gentrification.
“Placing an finish to gentrification right here in New York Metropolis — sufficient is sufficient,” he additionally stated after he was launched.
Ossé stated he’ll proceed pushing for stronger protections for householders.
In February, the council member and a bunch known as The People’s Coalition to Stop Deed Theft launched a marketing campaign to cease deed theft across the metropolis. In a letter to New York Governor Kathy Hochul, Ossé stated the town has seen 3,500 deed theft-related complaints within the Metropolis between 2013 and 2024 — with the circumstances predominantly impacting Black and Brown householders. He requested the governor to place a moratorium on evictions to permit householders time to work by means of the circumstances involving suspected deed theft and mortgage fraud.
“Deed theft is likely one of the most pervasive and least mentioned housing crises in New York,” Ossé stated. “Nobody ought to be compelled out whereas the courts are nonetheless figuring out whether or not a house was stolen.
“Homeownership can’t be overlooked of the talk over housing justice on this metropolis,” he added. “Ending deed theft as we all know it’s how we are going to shield generational wealth, stabilize communities, and ship actual housing justice for New Yorkers.”
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