Ginsburg becomes first woman to lie in state in US Capitol

WASHINGTON, DC – SEPTEMBER 25: Members of the House of Representatives, including Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), encircle U.S. Supreme Court Associate Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s flag-draped casket to pay their respects as she lies in state in Statuary Hall at the U.S. Capitol on September 25, 2020 in Washington, DC. Ginsburg, who was appointed by former U.S. President Bill Clinton, served on the high court from 1993 until her death on September 18, 2020. She is the first woman to lie in state at the Capitol. Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images/AFP

 

WASHINGTON (Eagle News) — Late Supreme Court justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg was honored Friday at the US Capitol, where she made history one final time becoming the first woman and first Jewish person to lie in state there.

Democratic Vice Presidential Nominee Kamala Harris tweeted, “Even after her passing, icon Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg continues to make history.”

Ginsburg’s flag-draped casket was carried up the Capitol east steps and brought to Statuary Hall, where the justice’s relatives, US lawmakers and dignitaries including Joe Biden, the Democratic presidential nominee, were in attendance.

Attendees, most masked to guard against the spread of coronavirus, placed their hands on their hearts as an honor guard laid the casket on a black-ribbon-draped wooden stand.

The stand, known as a catafalque, was the same one that bore president Abraham Lincoln’s body after his assassination in 1865.

Ginsburg, who died September 18 at age 87, was only the second woman to serve on America’s highest court, and became known for changing the face of US anti-discrimination law.

Most lawmakers in attendance were Democratic women, although some Republicans were also there to pay respects including number two Republican Steve Scalise.

The ceremony took place in historic Statuary Hall, where civil rights icon Rosa Parks, who as a private civilian lay in honor in the Capitol after her death, is commemorated with a statue.

Early this week the body of the late Justice lay in repose at the Supreme Court of the United States. The casket arrived in front of the Court just before 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday. A private ceremony in the Great Hall held at 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday was attended by Justice Ginsburg’s family, close friends and members of the Court. Following the private ceremony inside, Justice Ginsburg lay in repose under the Portico at the top of the front steps of the Building for public viewing outdoors.

Mourners who came to the court said they were focused on Ginsburg’s legacy, not the looming political struggle.

“I’m not thinking that far ahead,” said Heather Vandergriff, who came from Tennessee to honor the judge.

President Donald Trump, Biden’s election rival who has vowed to quickly fill the crucial vacancy created by Ginsburg’s death, paid his respects to the late justice Thursday at the Supreme Court, where he was heckled by protesters.

Anti-Trump protesters on the street could be heard shouting “Vote him out” and “Honor her wish” — a reference to Ginsburg’s stated desire that she not be replaced until after a new president is inaugurated.

Trump plans to push through filling the vacancy in the Supreme Court before the presidential elections scheduled for early November.

Trump is not accustomed to paying his respects to political opponents and his visit to the court is a rare tribute by the Republican president.