Death and state funeral of Ruth Bader Ginsburg

Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States, died from complications of metastatic pancreatic cancer on September 18, 2020, at the age of 87.

Her death received immediate and significant public attention; a vigil at the Supreme Court plaza in Washington, D.C., was held that same evening.

[7][8][9] Days before her death, according to her granddaughter Clara Spera, an attorney, she dictated a statement which reads in part: "My most fervent wish is that I will not be replaced until a new president is installed.

"[9][10] Hundreds of people began gathering in front of the Supreme Court in Washington, D.C., within hours of the news of Ginsburg's death.

[2] Hundreds of people attended vigils in Chicago,[15] Kingston, New York,[16] Portland, Maine,[17] Minneapolis[18][19] and San Francisco.

[23] On September 18, Speaker Nancy Pelosi of the House of Representatives ordered flags at the U.S. Capitol to be flown at half-staff in honor of Ginsburg.

[33][34][35] On September 25, the Empire State Building in New York City was lit with red, white and blue in honor of Ginsburg.

[43] Biden told reporters that Ginsburg's death was "very sad news" and highlighted the need to choose a successor only once the election had concluded.

"[44] Speaker Pelosi used Twitter to express her sympathy, saying that Ginsburg's death was "an incalculable loss for our democracy and for all who sacrifice and strive to build a better future for our children".

[45] Governor Cuomo described Ginsburg as someone who "pursued truth and justice in a world of division, giving voice to the voiceless and uplifting those who were pushed aside by forces of hate and indifference".

He said, among other things, that "People were really pulling for her and they really gravitated to her because of her sense of equality and fairness, and they thought, unlike much in politics today, she was totally on the level.

[49] Trump's allegation gave birth to a conspiracy theory which spread quickly through social media and was taken up by some conservative public figures.

[51] Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, described Ginsburg as a "pioneer for women's right, law and justice".

[52] Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada, wrote: "A profound and fearless advocate for women, equality, and justice, Ruth Bader Ginsburg's impact will undoubtedly be felt for generations.

Throughout her entire life, Ruth Bader Ginsburg fought for justice, gender equality, and respect for fundamental rights.

"[52] Emily Haber, German Ambassador to the United States, wrote: "Germany has often looked across the Atlantic, not only to the US but to Justice Ginsburg herself – a pioneer for women, a standard-bearer, a fighter.

"[52] Pedro Sánchez, Prime Minister of Spain, sent his "deepest condolences to her family, to the world of Justice and to the American people.

[58][59] Rabbi Lauren Holtzblatt of Adas Israel Congregation, a Conservative Judaism synagogue in Washington, D.C., began the ceremony with a chanting of "Adonai Roi", a song of mourning from Psalm 23, in both Hebrew and English,[58] and ended with "El Malei Rachamim", the prayer about a merciful God traditionally said for the departed.

"[58] This was followed by a eulogy from Chief Justice Roberts who described Ginsburg as a "rock star ... tough, brave, a fighter, a winner, but also thoughtful, careful, compassionate, honest."

[63] A large group of lawmakers from the Democratic Party also visited the casket, including senators Chuck Schumer of New York, Ed Markey of Massachusetts, Chris Coons of Delaware, and Patrick Leahy of Vermont.

[69][70] Aside from lying in state, only one woman in history, civil rights movement leader Rosa Parks, had lain in honor at the US Capitol, in 2005 — a distinction given to private citizens, as opposed to government officials like Justice Ginsburg.

[67][77] This was followed by the mezzo-soprano Denyce Graves, one of Ginsburg's favorite opera singers, performing the spiritual "Deep River" accompanied by Laura Ward on piano.

[85] Ginsburg's death opened a vacancy on the Supreme Court about six weeks before the presidential election, causing controversies over the nomination and confirmation of her successor.

As a White House official told The Washington Post shortly after Ginsburg's death: "This is an animating issue for the entire right.

"[92] In the hours following news of her death, more than $20 million was donated to various Democratic politicians via the ActBlue fundraising hub, more than quintuple the previous record amount.

[95] More than $20 million of that came in donations through a "Get Mitch or Die Trying" online campaign run by former Obama administration officials, who now host Pod Save America.

[95][96] Many Democrats, angered by Trump's and McConnell's decision to proceed with the confirmation for Ginsburg's replacement so close to the election, especially in view of the promises made during the course of Merrick Garland's denied Supreme Court nomination in 2016, again discussed the possibility of increasing the size of the U.S. Supreme Court if the Democrats took control of the Presidency and the Congress after the November 2020 election.