Another Woman's Organization Demands Removal of Monserrate

ALBANY, NY (10/21/2009)(readMedia)-- A big thank you goes out to our feminist friends at the National Women's Political Caucus-NYS (NWPC-NY)

Several women's organizations are speaking out to demand that Senator Hiram Monserrate resign or risk being removed from his position of power. The National Women's Political Caucus is the latest women's organization to speak out joining with the National Organization for Women-New York State, NARAL, The New Agenda, and the Eleanor Roosevelt Legacy Committee.

Donna Lent, President of the NY Chapter of the NWPC States "The trial is over. The hope was that Hiram Monserrate would be convicted of the most serious felony charges and sent to jail. That didn't happen.

Hiram Monserrate should resign immediately or the State Senate should, without further hesitation, move to expel him. Violence against women should never be tolerated and Monserrate was found guilty of assaulting his girlfriend.

Senator Rubin Diaz who has commented that none of the Democrats who asked Monserrate to quit are Latinos ( "They're white, that means they're racist. That means that they never did it for a white guy...") distracts from the real issue. His comments demonstrate how little regard he has for the women of the State of New York.

Hiram Monserrate was convicted of a serious crime. New York State has been a leader in the fight against domestic violence and permitting Monserrate to remain in a position of power and authority after such an incident is not only a giant step backward but a terrible signal to women and families all over the country. We join U.S. Senators Schumer and Gillibrand, and many elected officials in NYS, in calling for Hiram Monserrate to resign or be expelled immediately from the State Senate."

Ms. Lent can be reached at (516) 356-1805