Hold the eulogy, Andrew!
Mourns living icon Una
Gov. Cuomo was met with loud gasps Monday at the breakfast before the West Indian Day Parade when he mourned the passing of Una Clarke, a major figure in the Caribbean-American community.
Clarke, 83, is very much alive — and was in the audience when the governor declared her dead.
“Una Clarke, God rest her soul,” Cuomo said as an uproar reverberated through the crowd at the annual celebration of Caribbean culture.
Clarke, the first Caribbean-born woman elected to the City Council, is now a trustee of the City University of New York.
She’s also the mother of Brooklyn Rep. Yvette Clarke, who was also attending the breakfast when the governor made — and quickly corrected — his gaffe.
Cuomo was recognizing prominent Caribbean-Americans who recently died, including parade organizer Bill Howard, when he mistakenly included Una Clarke.
He said the losses made the celebration bittersweet.
“Every community that comes to this country has obstacles that they have to face. And every community has pathfinders and leaders who overcome those obstacles . . . Shirley Chisholm, God rest her soul. Una Clarke, God rest her soul,” Cuomo said.
The crowd reaction led the governor to reassess his statement.
“Una Clarke — who is with us here today. Sorry, sorry,” he quickly amended. “Bill Howard, God rest his soul.”
Rep. Yvette Clarke said she made it clear to Cuomo that her mom had not passed on.
“I guess he was misinformed so we let him know unequivocally that Dr. Clarke is here kicking and strong as ever,” she said.
During the breakfast, Cuomo announced that the state would invest up to $15 million for a 60,000square-foot community center planned at the Bedford Union Armory in Brooklyn and name it after an aide to the governor who was killed by stray gunfire before the parade three years ago.
Cuomo said the Carey Gabay Center would include space for social services, education, health care and cultural programs.
As is customary, Cuomo’s press office issued a transcript and video of the event — but did not include his comments about Una Clarke’s alleged death.
Cynthia Nixon, Cuomo’s Democratic rival, was also at the parade, stumping with Jumaane Williams, her running mate for lieutenant governor.