Video Shows Police Throw City Councilmember To Ground During Protest

A political ally of Democratic New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani was thrown to the ground while being arrested Wednesday while allegedly obstructing the eviction of a constituent.

Democratic New York City Councilman Chi Ossé was among those attempting to obstruct an eviction in the Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood of Brooklyn, The New York Times reported. Ossé and the activists claimed that the person being evicted, Carmella Charrington, was the victim of “deed theft,” which they claim has disproportionately targeted black property owners.

“Council Member Chi Ossé was just arrested while defending his constituent, Carmella Charrington, from eviction,” a statement posted on Ossé’s personal X account read. “This is the result of deed theft and the ongoing displacement of Black homeowners in Bed-Stuy.”

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“Deed theft,” also known as “title fraud,” occurs when a deed (or title) to property is transferred illegally, often involving the use of forged documents or phony identification, according to the National Association of Realtors.

Video posted by Politico reporter Chris Sommerfeldt appears to show the councilman forcing his way past New York Police Department officers in an effort to obstruct the eviction before being thrown down. The move triggered protesters to begin shouting at officers, “Who do you serve? Who do you protect?”