Supporters of U.S. Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor gathered in East Harlem Monday to watch the New York native introduce herself to the nation on day one of her confirmation hearings. NY1's Lily Jamali filed the following report.

Not everyone might consider a Supreme Court confirmation hearing as "Must-See TV" but in East Harlem, people did. They watched from Camaradas bar as one of their own, fellow Latina and fellow New Yorker Sonia Sotomayor, faced day one in front of the Senate Judiciary Committee.

"It's a tremendous honor and a blessing for all Latinos," said Sotomayor supporter Juan Jose Gutierrez Rodriguez.

Councilwoman Melissa Mark-Viverito put the gathering together and says she got the idea just four days ago.

"I felt that in a larger setting, people want a place where they can convene and really just have conversations and dialogue about this - and really have the opportunity to collectively share that historic moment," said Mark-Viverito.

City Council Speaker Christine Quinn also stopped by to share in the moment. She says Sotomayor's journey from a working class upbringing in the South Bronx to her nomination to the highest court in the land is nothing short of inspirational.

"This is a story of the American Dream but also of the New York dream," Quinn said. "A story of people who come to this city because they see great possibility. And they come to this city because it is a field of dreams for their children.

"If you've never been in a position where you can be evicted or your parents have two or three jobs, if you've never been in that position, I find it really scary that you're making decisions for everyone. Because I don't think you really can," said East Harlem resident Lynn Lewis.

It was Sotomayor's personal story that spectators found the most touching. When it was her turn to speak on Monday, she said she would not be where she is now without the sacrifices her mother had made.

"Her message for her mom and her gratitude really had me in tears," said Sotomayor supporter Maria Alvarez Castro.

"To excel to a level where the odds were completely against her, that was just poignant," said Sotomayor supporter Rafael Rivera.

Many people who showed up at Camaradas are convinced Sotomayor will be easily confirmed and will be watching closely.