BOSTON -- Some of Massachusetts state Sen. Dianne Wilkerson's most loyal supporters are now calling for her to resign amid federal bribery allegations that she took thousands of dollars to secure a liquor license and influence a land deal in her district.

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Members of the Boston Ten Point Coalition and the Black Ministerial Alliance said they will hold a news conference Friday at the Charles St. AME Church in Roxbury calling for Wilkerson to withdraw from the 2d Suffolk District Senate race and resign her position immediately.

In a brief release, the groups said, "The controversy surrounding the senator is not about race or politics; it is about the public trust and how her current issues are a distraction from the coming historic vote."

Wilkerson, 54, was arrested and charged by federal agents this week with accepting more than $23,000 in bribes -- in at least one case allegedly stuffing cash into her bra at a Beacon Hill restaurant.

First elected to her district in 1992, Wilkerson lost her Democratic primary bid in October to challenger Sonia Chang-Diaz, but has continued campaigning as a write-in candidate.

She released a statement Thursday night refusing to step down saying, " A decision to leave this district without representation, even for 60 days, is one that cannot and should not be made in a matter of hours."

Her Senate colleagues voted unanimously Thursday to strip her of all her committee positions, including a chairmanship, and to call for her resignation. They also referred Wilkerson's case to the Senate Ethics Committee.

Senate President Therese Murray said Wilkerson had given her a letter saying she would comply with the Senate's wishes, but apparently changed her mind.

Murray said she angered by the turnabout and other senators also expressed frustration.

"Every bill that (Wilkerson) held up, every bill that she was a proponent of and tried to push through, you've got to wonder in the back of your head, was there an ulterior motive?" said Minority leader Sen. Richard Tisei, R-Wakefield.

Wilkerson has been accused by federal authorities of working to secure a liquor license for a proposed Roxbury nightclub called Dejavu and of influencing legislation that would designate state property for development without having to go through the normal public bidding process.

They released undercover photos of Wilkerson allegedly accepting bribes at a number of Beacon Hill restaurants.

She is accused of taking eight bribes ranging in amounts from $500 to $10,000 during the 17-month investigation.

Now, authorities have subpoenaed others on Beacon Hill, widening the scope of the investigation.

Wilkerson has been no stranger to controversy during her 16 years at the State House. In 1999, she was suspended from practicing law for one year after a tax evasion conviction and paid a $10,000 fine in August to settle campaign finance problem allegations. The state Bar Counsel accused her last week of lyying under oath in connection with her nephew's manslaughter case.

Wilkerson is free on $50,000 unsecured bond.