Lawmakers and community leaders rallied at Rev. Al Sharpton's National Action Network headquarters in Harlem Saturday in protest of the controversial deal putting Republicans in control of the State Senate, which they say is disenfranchising voters.

Earlier this week, a power-sharing arrangement between five breakaway Democrats and Republicans gave the GOP control of the Senate.

However, critics say the agreement disenfranchises voters who wanted Democrats in office, specifically minority New Yorkers, because of a lack of diversity among the new leadership.

Meanwhile, Senate Minority Leader John Sampson says he will step aside if a deal can be brokered to get his party back in control.

"I want to work from now to the time we go into session to get us back the majority," Sampson said. "And when we get back the majority, I will step down and not be a majority leader, understanding this is bigger than me."

"This ain't got nothing to do with race," Sharpton said. "This has nothing to do with partisan. This has to do with policy and promises made."

The five members of the Independent Democratic Conference and Senate Republicans said their agreement is only in the interest of having a productive legislature.