Civil Rights Groups Hold Rally for Sotomayor

Martine Kaplan — August 5, 2009 – 1:38 pm | Civil Rights | Congress | Democrats Comments (0) Add a comment

Today, leading civil rights groups held a rally in support of Sonia Sotomayor’s upcoming Senate confirmation.  Representatives of major civil rights groups spoke, showing the wide range of support for Sotomayor. Those groups include Alliance for Justice, American Association for People With Disabilities, Hispanic Federation, Service Employees International Union, NAACP, National Council of La Raza, National Partnership for Women and Families, People for the American Way, and the Hispanic National Bar Association. Senators Ben Cardin (D-MD), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Charles Schumer (D-NY) and Bob Menendez (D-NJ) started off the rally.

Senator Cardin spoke of the need to confirm a justice who will not “turn the clock back” like “Conservative activist judges” did. He lauded Sotomayor as someone who will understand the importance of her role on the court and is proud to have a person of her “capacity, compassion and understanding” serve on the court.

Senator Whitehouse questioned the Republican party’s refusal to recognize Sotomayor’s qualifications – how could empathy be a poor quality? He told the rally that the GOP missed a great opportunity today to support such an “excellent and historic” nominee.

Senator Schumer had three words he wanted to get across: “it is time.” He reiterated that it is time for someone with Sotomayor’s experience, qualifications and dedication to the rule of law to serve on the Court.

The last Senator to speak, Mendendez talked about how proud he is that someone with equally humble beginnings has risen to the top. He expressed his disappointment that some of his colleagues couldn’t vote for someone of her stature. According to Menendez, “the Supreme Court and the nation will be better” because of her confirmation, and that will fulfill our promise as a country.

The full Senate vote should take place either tomorrow or Friday. Every Senate Democrat and at least seven Republicans are expected to vote in favor of Sotomayor.

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