Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., addresses a crowd assembled outside the Capitol Building. (Credit: Amy Harder)

Democratic senators and leaders of Hispanic organizations sent a message to Republicans today: Their votes on Sonia Sotomayor's confirmation will matter.

"To say that you cannot vote for this qualified Latina to be on the United States Supreme Court sends a message to us as a community that we will not forget," said Sen. Robert Menendez, D-N.J., prompting the crowd -- assembled as part of a rally hosted by Sen. Ben Cardin, D-Md. -- to erupt in cheers.

Menendez continued: "We know there are enough senators, including some of our Republican colleagues, who have set aside the pressures -- the pressures of the [National Rifle Association], the pressures of their leadership -- to join us."

Janet Murguia, president and CEO of the National Council of La Raza, took to the podium and touted the historical nature of this nomination. She reiterated the message Menendez sent to the almost 30 Republicans who are lining up against Sotomayor's nomination: "We will remember this," Murguia said. "This vote will matter."

Democratic Sens. Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island, Charles Schumer of New York and Cardin took part in the rally as well. While Democrats have held numerous press conferences touting the nominee, this is one of the first rallies -- if not the first -- held in honor of Sotomayor. A crowd of 100 or more gathered in Upper Senate Park, just off New Jersey Avenue. Many of the attendees, holding signs and cheering throughout the rally, were representing liberal interest groups like the Service Employees International Union and the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights.

During the rally, Republicans were taking to the floor inside the Capitol Building explaining why they were voting against Sotomayor. Sens. Pat Roberts of Kansas, Roger Wicker of Mississippi and John Cornyn of Texas were among the anti-Sotomayor speakers.

Sen. Christopher (Kit) Bond of Missouri also spoke and announced he will vote "yes", joining six other GOP lawmakers who have already pledged to do so. "I could easily say, as Senator [Barack] Obama said, that I disagree with a nominee's judicial approach and that allows me to oppose the nominee of a different party," Bond said on the floor. "Luckily for President Obama, I do not agree with Senator Obama.... I agree that Judge Sotomayor has proven herself a well-qualified jurist."