Cross Posted from The Albany project
The good news to come out of Hiram Monserrate is the front page highlighting of the problem of domestic violence in America.
Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand has sent us the following statement in support of our demand for the resignation or removal of Hiram Monserrate from the New York State Senate:
Senator Gillibrand's official statement:
"Domestic violence has no place in our society, and certainly has no place in the State Legislature. A court of law has found Sen. Monserrate guilty of domestic violence, and I believe he should resign immediately. If he does not resign, then the Senate should move to expel him. We must take a hard line against violence toward women in our society."
Update: FireMonserrate is on Facebook now too! Spread the word to your friends.
For those unaware of this story. Hiram Monserrate is a 1st term New York State Senator. Following his election but before he was sworn in he slashed his girlfriends face with a broken bottle. The video tape above is surveillance tape from the apartment building. She tries to knock on a neighbors door with towel clutched to her (now scarred) face. He comes down and grabs her and as the second camera view shows drags her out the door with her clinging to the door frame to avoid going wherever he is trying to take her.
Mr. Monserrate was sworn into office anyhow.
Mr. Monserrate was arrested and indicted (see Daily News links in my comments below).
Monserrate later was a key member along with Pedro Espada in the June coup that turned the newly Democratic controlled State Senate back over to the Republicans briefly... until Monserrate and Espada were welcomed back to the Democratic caucus following a deal with the Democratic "leadership."
This paralysed New York government. One of the results was that Marriage Equality, poised for a victory did not come up for a vote.
Monserrate was found guilty of a misdemeanor this past week. Had it been a felony he would have automatically been removed from office.
Consequently it is up to us to remove him from office.
John McBride has a post up at The Albany Project today with quotes of What People Are Saying as they sign the petition.
It is clear what decent, responsible citizens think of this situation.
Domestic violence is a crime.
Domestic violence kills.
Domestic violence is unacceptable in government.
Monserrate is unacceptable in government.
Criminal law makers are a big problem.
Please sign the petition and ask your friends to do likewise. It's at FireMonserrate.com