Paterson puts Trump on notice

Former Gov. David Paterson, while master of ceremonies for the Mid-Manhattan Branch of the NAACP’s 20th annual Freedom Funds Awards luncheon at Marina del Rey in the Bronx on Saturday, seized on the moment in front of a “who’s who” of New York’s most powerful Black leaders, to hint at what he thinks of former President Donald Trump’s chances of winning another four years in the White House. 

The former governor said he was incensed by Trump’s “audacity” to repeat the dispelled rumor that residents of Springfield, Ohio, “had their pets eaten by Haitian migrants who moved into the area” and fired back at the former president. “He can talk about what he thinks are people… Haitian migrants… eating the dogs and cats… pets of the people living in Springfield. But he's going to eat crow after Nov. 4th!” Paterson said to thunderous applause from attendees 

Among those honored at the lunch were Olympic medal-winning fencer and philanthropist Peter Westbrook, Federation of Protestant Welfare Agencies CEO Jennifer Jones Austin, state Sen. Cordell Cleare and Harlem Community News Publisher Pat Stevenson. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg was also in attendance and was welcomed with a round of applause. 

Hazel Dukes, the 92-year-old longtime NAACP member and president of the organization’s state conference, was recognized for her years of service and contributions. In remarks she made at the event, she gave shouthouts to Cleare, Democratic state Assembly candidate Jordan Wright (son of Keith Wright, county chair of the Manhattan Democratic Party) and Democratic City Council Member Yusef Salaam. Both Wright and Salaam have been recent standouts in efforts to reboot Black Harlem’s political clout.

Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine also made an appearance at the lunch. Cheryl Wills of Spectrum News NY1 served as a mistress of ceremony.