A group of New York elected officials are speaking out against Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who is in New York City for the United Nations General Assembly.

New York Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand and Gov. David Paterson were among those protesting Ahmadinejad's regime at a news conference near the U.N. on Monday.

Paterson said the group knows Ahmadinejad won't listen to their pleas. But he said it's important to speak out against world leaders he calls "divisive."

Protesters demonstrated Sunday as Ahmadinejad arrived, and another rally is planned for Thursday.

The Iranian president will address the assembly this week.