A Haitian leader made a major flub at the UN General Assembly Thursday when he spilled water on himself while speaking about migrants from Haiti supposedly eating cats and dogs.
The president of Haitis transitional council Edgard Leblanc Fils first spoke to world leaders gathered about gang violence in the country, as its capital Port-au-Prince has been the site of an ongoing gang war between two major groups and their allies
Fils bemoaned the large number of citizens fleeing due to the unrest, before getting into the false claims about Haitians living in Springfield, Ohio, eagerly eating pets.
He expressed concern that Haitians in the US and worldwide might face prejudice as a result of the claims, which were first made by former president Donald Trump.
As Fils was about to field a question, he could be seen picking up the massive jug and trying to drink from it, instead of pouring it in a glass. He proceeded to miss his mouth, creating a moment to remember.
The president of Haitis transitional council Edgard Leblanc Fils spilled water on himself while speaking about migrants supposedly eating cats and dogs Thursday
He expressed concern that Haitians in the US and worldwide might face prejudice as a result of the claims, which were first made by former president Donald Trump at the presidential debate on September 10
I would like to extend a brotherly greeting to all friends of Haiti that have shown solidarity towards the migrants from our country - and in particular those living in Springfield, Ohio, Fils said at a point.
The history of U.S-Haitian ties enables us to say with confidence that the American people reject any incitement to hate against our community, he added.
The passions that naturally arise during an election campaign should never serve as a pretext for xenophobia or racism in a country such as the United States, a country forged by immigrants... which has become a model of democracy for the world.
While fielding a fellow delegates question about the dignity of Haitians, he made the now viral mistake.
He then tried to play down the apparent slip, setting the pitcher down before quickly wiping his mouth.
Footage of the slip-up continues to make rounds on social media, as do the ex-presidents claims about Haitians living in Springfield.
During the debate with Harris, Trump specifically honed in on the small town,
As Fils was about to field a question, he could be seen picking up the massive jug and trying to drink from it, instead of pouring it in a glass.
He proceeded to miss his mouth, creating a moment to remember. He then tried to play down the apparent slip, setting the pitcher down before quickly wiping his mouth
Theyre eating the dogs. Theyre eating the cats. Theyre eating the pets of the people that live there, Trump said a few weeks ago - paving the way for memes like this
Theyre eating the dogs. Theyre eating the cats. Theyre eating the pets of the people that live there, he said - producing no evidence to support his claims.
They appeared to stem from a Facebook post from Springfield resident Erika Lee, who wrote about a neighbors cat that went missing, before adding that a neighbor told her she thought the cat was the victim of an attack by her Haitian neighbors.
It just exploded into something I didnt mean to happen, Lee told NBC News earlier this month, just days after the September 10 debate .
A photo of a man holding a dead goose that was taken in Columbus further fueled the speculation, as did graphic video of a woman who allegedly killed and tried to eat a cat in Canton.
The latter bore no connection to the Haitian community, and police in Springfield say they have found no evidence to support Trumps sensational claims.
The U.S. State Department, meanwhile, is urging tourists to avoid visiting Haiti, due to an ongoing state of emergency.
Pictured, an image of a man holding a dead goose in Columbus, Ohio - one of the pieces of media that seemingly started the rumors
They wrote: Kidnapping is widespread, and U.S. citizens have been victims and have been hurt or killed. Kidnappers may plan carefully or target victims at random, unplanned times. Kidnappers will even target and attack convoys.
Kidnapping cases often involve ransom requests. Victims families have paid thousands of dollars to rescue their family members.
Since the carnage began, 8,400 people have been killed, injured or kidnapped, the Global Centre for the Responsibility to Protect reported.
Five million Haitians are facing acute hunger, 1.6 million are at risk of starvation and more than 580,000 people are currently displaced.