Elaine Brown, Desley Brooks with Alameda County
Supervisor Keith Carson in an undated photo.

OAKLAND | Former Black Panther and civil rights icon Elaine Brown filed a police report last month alleging she was assaulted by Oakland Councilmember Desley Brooks at a downtown restaurant, according to the San Francisco Chronicle.

The report adds the alleged incident occurred during city business at Everett & Jones BBQ last Oct. 30. Brown filed a police report and issued a $10,000 claim against the city. She also sought medical attention, said the Chronicle. However, what specifically occurred is unclear.

But, sources told the East Bay Citizen that the altercation between Brown and Brooks stemmed from an argument over affordable housing in Oakland. The alleged assault, sources said, was preceded by Brown telling the often irascible Brooks she was “in the pocket of developers.”

The comment may be a reference to Brooks’ involvement in reviving the controversial 12th Street remainder parcel sale and proposed luxury apartment tower which the Oakland City Council nearly voted against last summer.

The alleged assault occurred in the restroom, said the sources, and included Brooks smacking Brown in the back of the head.