On June 8, 2009, New York State Senators chose to overtake the rightful Democratic rule and instead chose to annoint Republicans the leading party in the New York State Senate. On Election Day in 2008, Democrats won. Fairly and through the democratic process, the Democratic Party gained a slim but still resonating majority in the New York State Senate not seen in 40 years. Republicans, alongside two previously corrupted Democrats and upstate billionaire, Tom Golisano, performed a coup and stole the State Senate from the Democratic Party and from the 19.5 million people of New York. Those Republicans chose to disregard millions of New York voters and chose to instead hijack the New York State Senate and destroy one of the fundamental pillars of democracy; representation as chosen by the people. Senator Malcolm Smith, the first African American Majority Leader in New York State Senate History and the first Democratic Majority Leader in 40 years, was ousted from his leadership post and according to the New York News, "will not retain any semblance of leadership when the smoke clears." The Republicans' coup, done while the Senate was adjourned, underscores the fragile nature of democracy. It reminds us that although we are the birthplace of modern democracy and the protector of freedom, we might be our own greatest threat. New Yorkers, as well as fairminded Democrats and Republicans all over the coutry, should be outraged and disgusted by Senate Republicans. We, the undersigned, demand that Republicans relinquish any power gained through the coup performed on June 8, 2009.