BOSTON — Vigils are being held across the state to honor Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s 27-year service to the Supreme Court. At the West Roxbury District Courthouse Saturday night, dozens of people gathered with candles to pay their respects.
Boston City Councilor and mayoral candidate Michelle Wu was also in attendance.
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Still, it wasn’t long before appreciation turned to calls for action.
“When we heard that Ruth Bader Ginsburg had passed, we were devastated, afraid and motived to get out and do something,” explained Melissa Hamel, one of the vigil organizers. “She stood up for women’s rights for gender equality, for gay rights, for workers' rights, for voters' rights and we want to do this out of respect for her.”
“There are things in jeopardy and that’s why we need to come together,” Kim Everett of Jamaica Plain told Boston 25 News. “She faced fear, time and time again, and inequality time and time again, and so even though we are so sad and afraid right now, we need to channel what she would do and just take action.”
Many at the vigil voiced concerns that the Republican-controlled Senate may confirm Justice Ginsburg’s replacement before the presidential election, now less than 50 days away.
The confirmation would shift the court toward the right, with Republican-appointed justice’s outnumbering Democratic-appointed justice’s six to three.
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City Councilor Wu encouraged the crowd to vote and said people need to come together to help rebuild democracy.
“We are in a once in a generation moment right now, and it’s sitting squarely on our shoulders to continue her life’s work and her legacy,” Wu said.
Ginsburg was known for fighting in the face of adversity. According to NPR, her dying wish was to not be replaced until a new president is installed.
“We are the American people and we deserve to have a voice in who is the next Supreme Court nominee,” Hamel said.