Fight Back New York vs Counterpunch

Political action committee Fight Back New York is taking aim at antigay group Counterpunch for releasing a video featuring boxing imagery at a time when the subject of domestic violence hovers over Empire State politics.

The group New Yorkers for Constitutional Freedoms launched Counterpunch this week as a conservative response to Fight Back New York, a new PAC that aims to defeat antigay legislators at the polls. Those targets include Hiram Monserrate, the expelled state senator who seeks to regain his Queens seat in a special election on March 16. He is one of eight Democrats who voted against the marriage equality bill in December, and because of that vote, he now enjoys support from antigay Christians in his bid to reclaim office.

Senate colleagues expelled Monserrate last month over his conviction of misdemeanor assault against his girlfriend, which is why Fight Back New York finds the video from Counterpunch so inappropriate. Watch the video, which appears to take cues from Raging Bull, below.

"This group is basically sending the message that they'd rather have a convicted abuser in office than someone who votes for equal rights for gay and lesbian New Yorkers," said Fight Back New York spokeswoman Valerie Berlin in a statement. "What a terrible example to set for the young men and women of the thirteenth senate district."

In addition, domestic violence hangs over the unrelated controversy facing New York governor David Paterson. Calls for his resignation stem from accusations that he intervened in an investigation involving domestic violence charges against one of his closest aides.