Remembering Ruth Bader Ginsburg: Most Powerful Images From Supreme Court Steps Memorial
Hundreds of people flocked to the steps of the Supreme Court building this weekend in order to pay tribute to Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who passed away at age 87 on Friday, September 18. In the hours and days following her passing, mourners set up an elaborate memorial outside the historic Washington D.C. building, bringing flowers, colorful signs, and letters expressing grief over the immeasurable loss as well as gratitude for Ginsburg’s life work and legacy.
One woman told the Associated Press that upon hearing news of her death, she felt motivated to come to the very steps where Ginsburg spent more than two decades serving as a Supreme Court Justice. “I think it is important for us to recognize such a trailblazer,” explained 37-year-old Jennifer Berger, per NBC News. “It is amazing to see how many people are feeling this loss tonight and saying goodbye.”
Ginsburg’s death was announced on Friday by the Supreme Court, who shared that the 87-year-old passed away due to complications from pancreatic cancer. “We at the Supreme Court have lost a cherished colleague,” Chief Justice John Roberts said in a statement at the time. “Today we mourn, but with confidence that future generations will remember Ruth Bader Ginsburg as we knew her, a tireless and resolute champion of justice.”
Since then, so many folks — including a slew of public figures — have spoken out to pay tribute to Ginsburg’s legacy. The weekend of mourning has also brought a wave of uncertainty surrounding the Supreme Court vacancy, especially as President Donald Trump has already announced intentions to fill Ginsburg's seat. But in her final days, Ginsburg shared her desires for the future with her granddaughter, explaining: “My most fervent wish is that I will not be replaced until a new president is installed.” As such, many of the tributes to her memory have been coupled with the urgent call to honor Ginsburg’s final wishes.
Ahead are some of the most powerful images from the steps of the Supreme Court this weekend, showing just how many people have been touched by Ginsburg’s life — and how many will carry her messages onward in their own.
ALEX EDELMAN/Getty Images1/11A mourner sits on the steps of the Supreme Court building holding a sign reading “When there are nine,” referring to Ginsburg's famous quote: “When I'm sometimes asked 'When will there be enough [women on the Supreme Court]?' and I say 'When there are nine,' people are shocked. But there'd been nine men, and nobody's ever raised a question about that.”
JOSE LUIS MAGANA/Getty Images2/11Flowers and candles are set up adjacent to the Supreme Court building. “Thank you for holding on as long as you could,” reads one note.
Samuel Corum/Getty Images3/11Two people comfort each other as the crowds begin to gather.
Getty Images4/11“What is there to say except Thank You?”
Samuel Corum/Getty Images5/11“I DISSENT.”
Erik McGregor/Getty Images6/11Folks gathered in other parts of the country as well; a crowd of New Yorkers remembered RBG with a sign reading “We must now be ruthless.”
Getty Images7/11“When there are nine” appeared throughout the memorials, as did images and drawings of the late Supreme Court Justice.
Getty Images8/11A simple sign with an important message: “Honor RBG.”
Alex Edelman/Getty Images9/11In addition to flowers and signs, plenty of mourners were creative with sidewalk chalk to draw messages of love and gratitude.
The Washington Post/Getty Images10/11A young child pens a note to RBG, surrounded by flowers and heartfelt messages.
Bloomberg/Getty Images11/11One thing is clear: RBG's legacy will live on in all of us, and her fight continues in us, too.
