Ruth Bader Ginsburg was a warrior for freedom.
She lived a life committed to preserving the American ideal, from her early days fighting against gender discrimination to her illustrious tenure as one of the country's top judges. So as news of Ginsburg's death set in on Friday, mourners in Washington, D.C. paid their respects outside the hallowed halls of the U.S. Supreme Court.
Photos captured at the event reveal a solemn gathering of grieving Americans who showed up to express their appreciation for a life spent fighting on their behalf. Even in her final days, Ginsburg exhorted her fellow Americans to carry on the fight.
"My most fervent wish is that I will not be replaced until a new president is installed." That's what she told her granddaughter to share with the country after her death. Even as Donald Trump and his Senate crony Mitch McConnell line up to toss Ginsburg final wishes in the trash, there are glimmers even in this impromptu memorial service of an American public that's ready to keep up the fight.
A woman wearing a facemask reading "vote" holds a candle as mourners gather on the steps of the Supreme Court after the passing of US Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, in Washington, DC, on September 18, 2020. - Progressive icon and doyenne of the US Supreme Court, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, has died at the age of 87 after a battle with pancreatic cancer, the court announced on September 18, 2020. Ginsburg, affectionately known as the Notorious RBG, passed away "this evening surrounded by her family at her home in Washington, DC," the court said in a statement. (Photo by ALEX EDELMAN / AFP) (Photo by ALEX EDELMAN/AFP via Getty Images)
Credit: ALEX EDELMAN/AFP via Getty Images
A woman lights a candle at a makeshift memorial on the steps of the Supreme Court buidling in memory of late US Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, in Washington, DC, on September 18, 2020. - Progressive icon and doyenne of the US Supreme Court, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, has died at the age of 87 after a battle with pancreatic cancer, the court announced on September 18, 2020. Ginsburg, affectionately known as the Notorious RBG, passed away "this evening surrounded by her family at her home in Washington, DC," the court said in a statement. (Photo by ALEX EDELMAN / AFP) (Photo by ALEX EDELMAN/AFP via Getty Images)
Credit: ALEX EDELMAN/AFP via Getty Images
UNITED STATES - SEPTEMBER 18: A crowd gathers at the U.S. Supreme Court to mourn the death of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg died Friday, Sept. 18, 2020.People lit candles and left flowers and notes on the steps of the court. (Photo By Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)
Credit: Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images
WASHINGTON, DC SEPTEMBER 18: A crowd gathered at the steps of the Supreme Court after learning of the passing of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg in Washington D.C. September 18, 2020. (Photo by Demetrius Freeman/The Washington Post via Getty Images)
Credit: Demetrius Freeman/The Washington Post via Getty Images
Mandatory Credit: Photo by MICHAEL REYNOLDS/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock (10782324q)
A message is left in chalk on the sidewalk to honor the late US Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, outside the Supreme Court in Washington, DC, USA, 19 September 2020. United States Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg has died on 18 September 2020 at the age of 87. Justice Ginsburg, also known as RBG, took office on 10 August 1993 after an appointment by then US President Bill Clinton. She was the oldest of the nine serving supreme court judges at the time of her death.
Reactions to the death of United States Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Washington, USA - 19 Sep 2020
Credit: MICHAEL REYNOLDS/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock
Mandatory Credit: Photo by MICHAEL REYNOLDS/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock (10782324l)
People place flowers, candles and messages to honor the late US Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, outside the Supreme Court in Washington, DC, USA, 19 September 2020. United States Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg has died on 18 September 2020 at the age of 87. Justice Ginsburg, also known as RBG, took office on 10 August 1993 after an appointment by then US President Bill Clinton. She was the oldest of the nine serving supreme court judges at the time of her death.
Reactions to the death of United States Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Washington, USA - 19 Sep 2020
Credit: MICHAEL REYNOLDS/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock
Mandatory Credit: Photo by J Scott Applewhite/AP/Shutterstock (10782339c)
People gather at the Supreme Court on the morning after the death of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, 87, in Washington
Supreme Court Ginsburg, Washington, United States - 19 Sep 2020
Credit: J Scott Applewhite/AP/Shutterstock
A note is placed near mourners lighting candles below a mural of late US Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg by artist Rose Jaffe, in Washington, DC, late on September 18, 2020. - Progressive icon and doyenne of the US Supreme Court, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, has died at the age of 87 after a battle with pancreatic cancer, the court announced on September 18, 2020. Ginsburg, affectionately known as the Notorious RBG, passed away "this evening surrounded by her family at her home in Washington, DC," the court said in a statement. (Photo by ALEX EDELMAN / AFP) (Photo by ALEX EDELMAN/AFP via Getty Images)
Credit: ALEX EDELMAN/AFP via Getty Images
