Councilwoman Melissa Mark Viverito (Photo: Twitter)

Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker, who is facing a possible recall after widespread protests over his perceived anti-union proposals, will be in New York tonight for a fundraiser sponsored by the state Republican Party. Councilwoman Melissa Mark-Viverito released a statement expressing her "grave disappointment" with the GOP for hosting "the poster child for the austerity movement in the United States" in the five boroughs.

"Tonight, New York State Republicans will hold a fundraiser for Scott Walker, the union busting Governor of Wisconsin," Ms. Mark-Viverito said. "At a time when people across Wisconsin prepare to submit petitions for the recall of Governor Walker, it is disheartening that Republican New Yorkers would gather to support him in an effort to subvert the democratic process."Councilwoman Mark-Viverito said Governor Walker's push to strip unions of collective bargaining rights made him the "poster child for the austerity movement in the United States."  She also blamed him being the type of politician who inspired the anger among some citizens that led to the Occupy Wall Street protests.

“It is officials like Governor Walker that have inspired the kind of historic push back from communities across the United States – from the protests in Madison to the Occupy movements that emerged around the country, and continue to organize and galvanize around issues of income disparities," she wrote.

Ms. Mark-Viverito was arrested last November while participating in an act of civil disobedience in support of the Occupy protests. She closed her statement on the fundraiser by expressing solidarity with Governor Walker's opponents.

“I express my grave disappointment that our state’s Republican Committee is bolstering the governor’s attempts to stifle the voices of Wisconsin residents and raise my voice in solidarity with those who seek to fight Governor Walker’s anti-union agenda,” Councilwoman Mark-Viverito wrote.

Read the full text of Ms. Mark-Viverito's statement below.

COUNCIL MEMBER MELISSA MARK-VIVERITO RESPONDS TO NEW YORK FUNDRAISER FOR WISCONSIN GOVERNOR SCOTT WALKER

New York – “Tonight, New York State Republicans will hold a fundraiser for Scott Walker, the union busting Governor of Wisconsin. At a time when people across Wisconsin prepare to submit petitions for the recall of Governor Walker, it is disheartening that Republican New Yorkers would gather to support him in an effort to subvert the democratic process. Governor Walker’s efforts to strip public sector unions of their collective bargaining rights, which were infamously bankrolled by the Koch Brothers, have made him the poster child for the austerity movement in the United States.

“While Governor Walker claims to have created ‘thousands’ of new jobs as a result of his economic policies, the Los Angeles Times reports today that ‘Non-farm employment grew by 4,500 jobs between November 2010 and November 2011, up just 0.2% — one of the worst performances among the states.’

“It is officials like Governor Walker that have inspired the kind of historic push back from communities across the United States – from the protests in Madison to the Occupy movements that emerged around the country, and continue to organize and galvanize around issues of income disparities.

“I express my grave disappointment that our state’s Republican Committee is bolstering the governor’s attempts to stifle the voices of Wisconsin residents and raise my voice in solidarity with those who seek to fight Governor Walker’s anti-union agenda.”

New York Republican Party Chairman Ed Cox

New York Republican Party Chairman Ed Cox released a statement this afternoon urging the GOP presidential candidates to stop infighting lest they provide ammo for President Obama to use in the general election.

"With Obama's Chicago machine gearing up to run the first billion-dollar campaign in history, Ronald Reagan's 11th Commandment is as relevant as ever: Thou shalt not speak ill of fellow Republicans," the statement said. "Open primaries are good for the Party and good for the country. But when open debate turns to negative attacks on fellow Republicans, we provide our Democratic opponents with fodder for new attacks come the general election."At the Republican primaries enter the home stretch, the candidates and their associated super PAC's have launched several attacks against each other. Cox's statement said the must be making the "Obama machine" quite happy.

"Somewhere in Chicago, someone is smiling," the statement said. "The Obama machine is already preparing to run the most negative campaign in history on our eventual nominee. Let's not give them any more material."