New Haven Register (New Haven, CT)
‘Together, as a group, we’re powerful’
Outraged Elders call for equality, honor Ginsburg
NEW HAVEN — They call themselves the Outraged Elders.
And like the late U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, they are passionate about spurring change.
The group of local women came together Monday to share that message and honor Ginsburg on the 88th anniversary of her birth, gathering at a bench on the New Haven Green across the street from the federal courthouse to share quotes and call for change in society.
“The bench is a reminder that we have to keep the pressure on. We have to use our power of the vote and keep pushing for laws that protect and advance equality, women’s rights and more,” said Dori Dumas, president of the Greater New Haven NAACP and a member of the group. “The struggle continues, but the fight continues as well.”
Speakers called for an end to solitary confinement and racism and spoke in favor of preserving voting rights, fighting for women’s rights, and other progressive causes. They donned judicial collars and shared quotes from the late justice as well, ending the gathering with a rendition of “Happy Birthday.”
The Rev. Allie Perry, pastor of Shalom United Church of Christ, called for the state legislature to pass the Protect Act, a measure supported by New Haven-based Stop Solitary CT, to end solitary confinement in prisons.
“It is absolutely torture. It needs to end. It does not make us more safe, and it creates a toxic environment, not just for those who are incarcerated, but also those who work in prisons,” said Perry. “And it’s an incredibly racist thing.”
Dottie Green, founder of an organization that honors the legacy of Rosa Parks, noted Ginsburg’s quoted desire to be remembered as “someone who (uses) whatever talent she has to do her work to the very best of her ability and to help repair tears in her society.”
“It’s important for us to use our abilities to repair the tears in our society. One of the biggest tears in our society is racism,” said Green. “We need to encourage all to open the floodgates of equity to everyone — everyone.”
Melinda Tuhus noted the interconnected nature of many social justice causes, including climate activism, which has been historically near and dear to her heart.
Ginsburg, she noted, said that it was important to “fight for the things that you care about, but do it in a way that will lead others to join you.”
“We see the connections among all these different struggles,” said Tuhus. “We all need to bring each other along and not set up barriers. We need to build bridges.”
Outraged Elders was founded this past summer through discussions between Woodbridge resident Sally Connolly and New Haven resident Meg Bloom, who walk together on Tuesdays.
They said they were frustrated about not being able to do more in the wake of the deaths of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor, given their age and the threat of the pandemic, to address aspects of society they considered outrageous, including racism and economic injustice.
“It was difficult not to be able to participate,” said Connolly.
With Tuhus’ help, they organized the group of women and held two protests for racial justice over the summer.
Green and Dumas said the group now gets together about once a month, speaking about current events and their desire for change and considering opportunities to take action.
“Here we are as elders saying we want to make a difference,” said Green. “We don’t want people to continue talking, talking. We want to see change.”
Dumas said that she had come up with the idea of honoring Ginsburg, who Green described as an inspirational figure, as the group considered reasons to share their beliefs with the public.
The group would continue to seek change and hold officials accountable, she said.
“It’s time to go further,” said Dumas. “Together, as a group, we’re powerful.”