State Senator Rev Ruben Diaz, President of the New York State Senate Puerto Rican/Latino Caucus, is demanding an apology from Senator Jeff Klein’s statement calling them “irrelevant” and “people like that”. By saying “people like that” does he mean Hispanic or what?

Senator Klein made this statement after four Senators, Ruben Diaz, Hiram Monserrate, Martin Malave Dilan and Carl Kruger walked out of a session called by their conference after adjourning Governor Paterson’s Extraordinary Session.

The four senators walked out, expressing their opposition to keep being part of a circus, where pieces of legislation are being approved without quorum and Governor Paterson refusing to acknowledge or sign them into law.

After walking out, Senator Klein stated, “I don’t care what they have to say. We need a bipartisan, long-term agreement. So people like that are irrelevant.”

Senator Martin Malave Dilan called Senator Klein’s statement saying, “Let’s see how irrelevant we are in the next 24 hours… his statement was racist.”

Senator Hiram Monserrate said, “I think it’s unfortunate that Senator Klein’s insatiable desire to be president clouds his judgment so as to make divisive and offense statements. Bad move Jeff.”

For further information, please contact Senator Rev. Diaz at 718/496-4793.