The following press release is being sent to New York newspapers:

For Immediate Release

October 17, 2009

Governor Paterson and New York State Senators:  Join Senator Krueger and Demand Monserrate Resigns Immediately!

The New Agenda, a national organization dedicated to improving the lives of women and girls, is calling on Governor Paterson and ALL New York State Senators to put party aside and join Senator Liz Krueger in her call for New York State Senator Hiram Monserrate to resign.

The New Agenda commends Democratic State Senators Brian Foley, Dave Valesky, Neil Breslin, and Darrel Aubertine.  The New Agenda also notes the first Republican to join in calls for a resignation is also a woman:  Senator Betty Little.

“Silence is the great enabler of gender based abuse” said The New Agenda’s President Amy Siskind.  “Allowing Hiram Monserrate to continue to serve would send a clear and equivocal message to the women of New York: ‘violence against women is acceptable in our state.’  Any New York state legislator that remains silent or speaks out on behalf of Monserrate will taint their moral authority to govern.”

Hiram Monserrate was found guilty of misdemeanor assault but acquitted of felony assault.  Siskind adds:  “Monserrate got away with it, plain and simple.  Sadly the message this sends is that it’s a lesser offense to slap someone around if they are your wife or girlfriend.  If Monserrate had abused a stranger, he would be on his way to jail.

Siskind added:  “The New Agenda and our national membership will continue to speak out until Hiram Monserrate is out of public office and public life for good.”

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