Amenia holds vigil for Ruth Bader Ginsburg

AMENIA — In honor of the passing of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who died on Friday, Sept. 18, local residents came together at Fountain Square in Amenia on Saturday evening, Sept. 19, to pay tribute to the liberal’s 27 years on this nation’s highest court through a socially distanced candlelight vigil. 

Ginsburg passed away at the age of 87 due to complications of metastatic pancreatic cancer. She was appointed to the Supreme Court by President Bill Clinton in 1993 and quickly became an icon for women’s rights, ruling on issues from equal pay for women to allowing female cadets into military academies like the Virginia Military Institute. 

Wassaic resident Leo Blackman said he was “amazed at how quickly” organizers put together the vigil, and added he was glad the community came together to honor Bader Ginsburg, whom he said was an incredible American jurist he was devastated to lose.

“It was horrible,” he said of her death. “In a lot of ways she was able to change the world — a 100-pound woman. My mother was a working mother, involved in civil rights, and I really have a fear the world is sliding in a really scary direction now.”

“Twenty-five of us gathered to share our thoughts about the amazing RBG and the landmark cases she won for the betterment of society, and how she impacted our own lives,” said Councilwoman Vicky Doyle. “Marianne Pitts and Tonia Shoumatoff sang some songs. [Councilman] Damian Gutierrez took down the candles, wreaths of hydrangeas made by Tracy Salladay, and posters at 11:15 p.m. We’ve heard from many who drove by who were moved and appreciative of this local initiative.”

By 8 p.m. on Saturday evening, more than two dozen people gathered to light candles and stand in solidarity as a memorial to Ginsburg’s inspiring life and legacy, added Doyle.

When Gutierrez visited Fountain Square to put out the candles, he said in addition to people honking their support from their cars, one woman came up to him to thank him and the town for honoring Ginsburg and the mark she made on the American legal system.

“It was an important show of respect for a great woman, and an incredible life of service,” the councilman said.