In a letter to Attorney General Eric Schneiderman, the senators cite an Associated Press investigation that found the NYPD has subjected entire communities to surveillance and scrutiny, often without any allegation of wrongdoing. Police built databases of businesses that catered to Muslims and monitored where certain Muslims ate, shopped, lived and prayed.
The Democrats who signed the letter represent districts in and around New York City. Democrats are in the minority in the New York Legislature.
A spokeswoman for Schneiderman, who also is a Democrat, had no comment.
