Earlier today, Governor Kathy Hochul addressed attendees at the West Indian Day Carnival Association Breakfast before joining the West Indian Day Parade. The event featured remarks from Hochul highlighting New York’s significant Caribbean community.
The Governor expressed her pride in leading a state with what she described as “the largest Caribbean population outside that beautiful part of our world.” She encouraged attendees to celebrate their heritage and affirmed her commitment to supporting Caribbean communities across New York.
Hochul commented on concerns about recent federal policies, stating: “Let me tell you this, my friends — we are so focused on lifting the people of our communities up, and I know in light of what has been happening under the new administration in Washington, there’s a lot of fear and anxiety. I’m here to tell you that today we’ll celebrate, tomorrow we’ll get back up and fight like hell and say you’re not going to separate our families, our children. We’re going to continue to embrace the incredible culture and the customs and the cuisine of the Caribbean, and I’m going to continue focusing on creating trade relationships, sending more teams from Empire State Development to the islands to help give them catalysts of dollars and resources to be successful.”
She also emphasized ongoing investments in healthcare for Brooklyn communities. According to Hochul: “We have to focus on people in these communities, making sure we have money to help with more money back into your pockets and high quality healthcare as we reimagine SUNY Downstate. You fired up for that as well? A billion dollars to give people the healthcare they deserve.”
Governor Hochul concluded by expressing gratitude for her role as governor and promised continued support: “So I’ll see you out there. Same time next year and the year after and the year after. But thank you for making me so proud to be your Governor.”
Video footage of Hochul’s remarks is available on YouTube with TV-quality video accessible here. Audio recordings can be found here, while photos from the event will be posted on Flickr.
