More than 100 people gathered in front of the Stamford courthouse Sunday to remember Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who died Friday at 87 years old.
One of the organizers of the vigil, Brook Manewal of Stamford, said the feminist icon is the reason she has the career she does today.
“Her impact in my life is enormous,” said Manewal. “I am a lawyer, so just paving that way.”
While politicians, including Gov. Ned Lamont and U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, took the microphone to give their remarks, other people, like Shira Tarantino of Stamford, stood with signs, shirts and even masks with Ginsburg’s face on them.
“She was the link between justice and no justice, and now that we don’t have her on the bench, I am personally very worried about what is going to happen to our country,” said Tarantino.
Blumenthal assured the crowd he will do all he can in her honor.
“I’m going to fight like hell that [we] make sure we uphold that legacy,” said Blumenthal. “One of her dying wishes was that no nominee be confirmed before the inaugural and the election. I’m going to fight to uphold that wish, but also civil rights and liberties, protection for reproductive rights.”
Blumenthal said although she was slight in stature and soft of voice, she packed a powerful punch in the courtroom. It’s something he experienced firsthand as Connecticut’s attorney general, arguing three cases before Ginsburg at the Supreme Court.
That powerful punch is something Marylan Allen of Stamford respected the most.
“She was just a real human being,” said Allen. “She stood up for the rights of all of us, so we want to honor her. She tried to hang on until the next president, but she couldn’t. Notorious RBG, we just loved her.”
Many at the vigil said they will take action to make sure her legacy is honored. They will continue to fight for equal rights and encourage everyone to vote in November.
Democrats have called for the winner of the upcoming presidential election to fill Ginsburg’s spot, but Republicans have said they intend to move ahead with a nomination and confirmation.