Women's Groups Join Together to Demand Removal of Senator Monserrate

ALBANY, NY (10/29/2009)(readMedia)-- Three prominent women's organizations, The National Organization for Women-NYS (NOW-NYS), The New Agenda and The Eleanor Roosevelt Legacy Committee have created an open letter that will be presented to Senator Sampson and the entire New York State Senate. We are inviting organizations and individuals to sign on. Below is the letter and can be viewed at http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/Monserrate-Must-Be-Removed/

OPEN LETTER TO SENATOR JOHN SAMPSON

Dear Senator Sampson:

A court of law recently found Senator Hiram Monserrate guilty of domestic violence-a vicious crime causing serious injury to his girlfriend. Despite the calls by many of our leaders for his immediate resignation (including Senators Gillibrand and Schumer, Congressional members and many state senators), he refuses to step down. In fact, he has shown no remorse for his actions. You must hold him accountable by removing him immediately.

Our elected officials have an obligation to the people of New York to lead by examplethey are expected to set a higher standard. Domestic violence has no place in our society or in the Legislature and must not be tolerated in any form.

We call on you, the New York State Senate, Senator Eric Schneiderman and his newly-formed committee to proceed with all haste to remove Hiram Monserrate from the Senate. You have a responsibility to his constituents, the Democratic Party, and all New Yorkers to do the right thing. Equally, you have a responsibility to yourselves to uphold the institution of the Senate. We await your decision.