Group in Denver protests against filling Supreme Court vacancy before November election

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Following the death of Ruth Bader Ginsburg, the Supreme Court Justice who died September 18 at age 87, people across the country have protested against filling her seat before the presidential election in November. In Denver, a group rallied outside of the Byron Rogers Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse the afternoon of Monday, September 21.

In a statement dictated to her granddaughter before she died, Ginsburg said, “My most fervent wish is that I will not be replaced until a new president is installed.” However, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) and President Donald Trump have said they plan to confirm a Supreme Court nominee before the November presidential election.

Trump said Monday he would name a nominee either September 25 or 26. He also promised the nominee would be a woman. At least two republican senators—Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska—have said publicly they do not support filling the vacancy before the election.

Dozens of people showed up for the rally in Denver, and many spoke on the legacy of Ginsburg, a liberal justice and champion of women’s rights.

“Ruth Bader Ginsburg: An icon, mother, lawyer, scholar, Supreme Court Justice. She led the fight for equal justice under the law, not only for women, but for every American,” said Jamie Schwartz, who was in attendance at the rally. “To see someone like that, who until her very last, dying minutes, continued to fight for us all, is just really impactful and powerful and inspiring to me to take on that responsibility and carry it forward.”

Multiple signs at Monday's rally referenced Colorado Senator Cory Gardner, a republican who in March 2016 opposed then-President Barack Obama's nominee to the Supreme Court, Merrick Garland. "Our next election is too soon and the stakes are too high," Gardner said in a statement at the time, which was seven months before the 2016 presidential election. "The American people deserve a role in this process as the next Supreme Court Justice will influence the direction of this country for years to come.”

But Monday evening, Gardner announced he would vote to confirm a nominee in 2020. "Should a qualified nominee who meets this criteria be put forward, I will vote to confirm," Gardner said in a statement.

According to Anderson’s Twitter page, over 30 Coloradans will be joining him on the trip to the nation’s capital for the rally.

“You will have the opportunity to tell your children, your grandchildren, your great-grandchildren where you were at this moment in history,” Anderson said Monday, speaking into a microphone.

To learn more about the life, career, and legacy of Ginsburg, click here.

Gardner's opponent in the upcoming election, former Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper, has said he does not support confirming Ginsburg's replacement until after the next presidential inauguration.

Following the protest Monday, Denver Mayor Michael Hancock released a statement saying he opposed filling the Supreme Court seat before inauguration day. He too mentioned Gardner's position in 2016 and said, "Just as it did in 2016, the Senate should hold to the precedent they have set for themselves. To proceed otherwise would be the height of hypocrisy and an affront to the American people."

Denver School Board member Tay Anderson was also at the protest Monday. He is organizing a trip to Washington, D.C. for a “McConnell v. Justice” rally, which is scheduled to take place the weekend of October 17 in front of the Supreme Court building.