Vigils for Ruth Bader Ginsburg to bring mourners to California courthouses, state Capitol
A candlelight walk will take place Saturday at the state Capitol in memory of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who died Friday at the age of 87.
Emotions are expected to run high there as they did on the steps of the Supreme Court building in Washington, D.C., as homemade cardboard signs and a collection of flowers blanketed the court’s grounds. Hours earlier, hundreds of people had turned out after hearing of Ginsburg’s death. They wept and sang in a candlelight vigil, packing the high court’s steps in a spontaneous memorial.
Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg announced the vigil, which is beginning at 9:18 p.m. to commemorate her passing on Sept. 18, on Twitter.
The walk follows a memorial held at 8 p.m. Saturday outside the Sacramento Courthouse, as memorials across the nation occur at courthouses everywhere as part of a nationwide memorial for Ginsburg. Sacramento Mayor Pro Tem Angelique Ashby announced she would attend and encouraged all to socially distance.
The Capitol walk will begin from the west steps of the Capitol and organizers ask attendees to wear masks.
In Davis, a vigil will happen in the Central Park gardens between 3rd and 4th streets at 7:30 p.m.
Ginsburg, died from complications of metastatic pancreatic cancer, causing a social media outpouring of grief. Sacramento and California leaders voiced their condolences on social media, highlighting Ginsburg’s career as a “trailblazer,” as Gov. Gavin Newsom said.
Steinberg wrote, “She really is a historic figure. It’s easy to forget the recent history of discrimination against women in all walks of life, which was allowed without constitutional protection. And in her legal fight, she helped millions of women in this country even before she made it to the Supreme Court.”
Steinberg called U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell’s promise of senate vote to replace Ginsburg with a nominee from President Donald Trump “horrifically stunning.” Steinberg said, “Tonight is not the night to be political. Focus on her life and legacy. The truth about discrimination of all kinds is it always lurks just barely below the surface. It must be a constant and vigilant fight... a fight for the community and the country she fought for with such intellect and grace.”
“Justice Ginsburg was a hero and inspiration to so many women, including me. She spent her entire career fighting for gender equity. I am grateful for her incredible bravery, intelligence and dedication,” Ashby said.
Rep. Doris Matsui, D-Sacramento, wrote, “America has lost a titan of justice and a champion for the voiceless. Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg was a tireless warrior for equality and a north star for those seeking a more just democracy.”
This story was originally published September 19, 2020 at 2:18 PM.