New York City Council Member Chi Ossé was among five individuals arrested by the NYPD on April 22, 2026, during a protest against the eviction of a constituent in Brooklyn. Ossé, who represents the 36th District, was defending Carmella Charrington, a resident of the Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood, against what protesters are calling “deed theft.”
Protesting ‘Deed Theft’ and Displacement
Ossé shared a video of his arrest on X (formerly Twitter), stating it was a consequence of “deed theft and the ongoing displacement of Black homeowners in Bed-Stuy.” Deed theft is described as a form of fraud where ownership of a property is illegally transferred to a third party without the owner’s consent, disproportionately affecting Black homeowners.
The protest aimed to block access to a property at 212 Jefferson Ave, where city marshals were scheduled to execute an eviction. Protesters claim Charrington, who has lived in the brownstone for decades, is being unfairly pushed out. In a video of the incident, Ossé is seen questioning officers as they arrested another demonstrator, leading to his own apprehension.
Allegations of Police Misconduct
Video footage shows an officer grabbing Ossé’s jacket collar and shoving him to the ground before placing him in handcuffs. A protester intervened, shouting at the officer, “Motherfucker, that’s a Councilmember, what the f*** are you doing?” The incident has drawn criticism, with State Attorney General Letitia James calling the video “disturbing.”
Ossé was released from a local precinct after being charged with one count of obstructing governmental administration and two counts of disorderly conduct. Following his release, he reported feeling sore and experiencing dizziness, stating he was “manhandled” and “slammed” to the ground. He announced his intention to file a misconduct report against the officers involved.
The Deed Dispute and Potential Eviction
Reports detail a dispute dating back to 2021 involving the property, with companies like Brooklyn Gates LLC and 227 Group LLC. In 2024, 227 Group LLC purchased the home for $1.4 million from individuals identified as alleged family members of the estate of the former owner. 227 Group LLC has denied the deed theft allegations, stating the purchase was an all-cash transaction with title insurance.
- Council Member Chi Ossé arrested during an eviction protest.
- Protesters allege “deed theft” and displacement of Black homeowners.
- Carmella Charrington, a long-time resident, faces eviction.
- Allegations of excessive force by NYPD officers against Ossé.
- Calls for a pause on evictions in suspected deed-theft cases.
Carmella Charrington described the situation as feeling like she was in the movie ‘Get Out,’ expressing that the potential eviction from a property owned by her family for four generations would cause “irreparable harm.”
What are your thoughts on the deed theft allegations and the arrest of Council Member Ossé? Share your perspective in the comments below.
