WASHINGTON - Confirmation hearings begin Monday for President Obama's nominee to the Supreme Court. Sonia Sotomayor would become the first Hispanic woman on the court, but her confirmation hearings will not be without controversy. 

Monday marks the beginning of what many consider to be the most important trial of judge Sotomayor's career and the protests in the nation's capitol are underway.

On the steps of the Supreme Court Sunday afternoon, the protest was small but loud.

On the eve of the Supreme Court confirmation hearings, pro-life activists are calling on pro-life senators to aggressively question the nominee on the topic of abortion.

"Do pro life senators have the courage to fight her and to try and stop her? That's what we are here for - filibuster Sotomayor," said Randall Terry, pro-life activist.

Democrats hold a filibuster resistant 60 votes in the senate. 

Sotomayor's views on abortion are largely unknown but pro-life activists say the views of the president's nomination of her is evidence enough.

"There's no question in anyone's minds who knows politics that she is going to uphold Roe v. Wade," Terry said.

Jerry Santoro was the lone pro-choice activist at the protest today.

"They are referring to her as the 'angel of death' and I am not sure where they get this. If you look at her record on abortion, she doesn't have one," Santoro said.

If confirmed, Sotomayor will become the first Hispanic and the third woman to sit on the high court. Activist will also be protesting on Monday.

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