TL;DR
- Chi Ossé arrested at anti-eviction protest.
- Protest aimed to save Black homeowner.
- NYPD faced backlash for violent arrest.
- Ossé advocates for eviction moratorium.
- Community rallies for Ossé’s release.
In a shocking display of police brutality, New York City Council Member Chi Ossé was arrested during a protest in Brooklyn’s Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood on Wednesday. The video footage is as disturbing as it is revealing, showing NYPD officers throwing Ossé to the ground and handcuffing him while he stood in solidarity with constituents fighting against eviction.
The protest was centered around the case of Carmella Charrington, a long-time resident facing eviction due to illegal deed theft, a practice that has been disproportionately affecting Black and Latinx homeowners in New York. Ossé, who has been vocal about the need for an eviction moratorium, was there to defend Charrington and her family, who have lived in their home for over a century.
“Council Member Chi Ossé was just arrested while defending his constituent, Carmella Charrington, from eviction,” read the caption on Ossé’s Instagram post, which has since gone viral. His arrest has sparked outrage among fellow council members and constituents alike. In a joint statement, council members Alexa Avilés, Tiffany Cabán, and Shahana Hanif condemned the NYPD’s actions, calling it a brutal police attack on a community leader and activists standing up for a Black homeowner.
“We are outraged by the violent arrest of our colleague Council Member Chi Ossé, and demand his immediate release from NYPD custody,” they stated, highlighting the urgent need for Governor Hochul to enact an eviction moratorium to protect vulnerable homeowners from such injustices.
As the protest unfolded, many constituents took to social media to voice their support for Ossé, including notable queer and trans figures from the community. LGBTQ+ activist Qween Jean passionately declared, “FREE CHI NOW!!!” in the comments of Ossé’s Instagram post, echoing the sentiments of many who believe that the arrest was not just an attack on Ossé but a direct assault on the rights of marginalized communities.
Ossé’s office has urged supporters to contribute to Charrington’s legal fees through a GoFundMe campaign, as the fight against illegal deed theft continues to gain traction. The phenomenon has reportedly tripled in the last three years, making it a critical issue for many families in the area.
As Ossé remains in custody at the 79th Precinct, the community is rallying together, demanding justice not only for their council member but for all those affected by the ongoing crisis of eviction and displacement. The call to support Black homeowners is louder than ever, and Ossé’s fight is far from over.
This is a developing story, and we will continue to follow the events surrounding Chi Ossé’s arrest and the broader implications for housing rights in New York City.