MEAWW.COM / NEWS / HUMAN INTEREST

Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg death reactions: From shock to grief and is it ‘possible for 2020 to get worse?’

She served as the most senior member of the Supreme court's liberal wing and cast progressive votes on abortion rights, same-sex marriage, voting rights and immigration

Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg died on September 18. She was 87. According to CNN, she was appointed by President Bill Clinton in 1993. In recent years, she has served as the most senior member of the court's liberal wing and has cast progressive votes on social issues including abortion rights, same-sex marriage, voting rights, immigration, health care and affirmative action, as per CNN. The court, in a statement, said Ginsburg died at her home in Washington surrounded by family.

The NPR states, the Supreme Court announced her death, saying the cause was complications from metastatic cancer of the pancreas. Chief Justice John Roberts said, “Our nation has lost a justice of historic stature. We at the Supreme Court have lost a cherished colleague. Today we mourn but with confidence, that future generations will remember Ruth Bader Ginsburg as we knew her, a tired and resolute champion of justice.”

As per CNN, she was nicknamed ‘Notorious RBG’. She was a fiery speaker. She had suffered from five bouts of cancer, and most recently there was recurrence in early 2020 when a biopsy revealed lesions on her liver. “I have often said I would remain a member of the Court as long as I can do the job full steam,” she said in a statement in July 2020, according to CNN. “I remain fully able to do that.”

In 2019, speaking at the Yale Club at an event hosted by Moment Magazine in New York, she said, "I found each time that when I'm active, I'm much better than if I'm just lying about and feeling sorry for myself.” Ginsburg told another audience that she thought she would serve until she was 90 years old, as reported by CNN. As per CNN, in 2011, President Barack Obama at a White House ceremony said, "She's one of my favorites. I've got a soft spot for Justice Ginsburg.”

According to NPR, she played a pivotal role as an architect of the legal fight for women's rights in the 1970s. She later served 27 years on the nation's highest court.

Twitter mourned her death as well. A user said,  "Is it possible for 2020 to get any worse? It can and it will. May the memory of #RuthBaderGinsberg ignite meaningful change and action. #RIPRBG". One user wrote: “2020 took our toughest defenders, who fought for decades, and to the last breath. Thank you. #RIPRBG #RipJohnLewis.” Another said, “Fight for the things you care about, but do it in a way that will lead others to join you – Ruth Bader Ginsburg. We lost a true hero, there will never be another like her. she was truly one of a kind.”

One user commented, “Ruth Bader Ginsburg was a hero to millions of Americans. Nobody worked harder and fought harder, regardless of the obstacles that were placed in her way. As sad as we are at her passing, you have to marvel at how her love of the country kept her going as long as it did. #RIPRBG.” Another supporter said, “We can’t despair. We will survive this. She would want us to. She was, above all else, a fighter. #RIPRBG.” Another user mourned, “Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg left an incredible legacy for women and young girls. RBG was a champion of equal rights and a brilliant legal mind. This one hurts. #RIPRBG”

There was another trend ‘no.no.no’ regarding her death. One wrote: “No no no no no. I’m choking back tears. 2020 has broken me finally. Rest In Peace, Justice Ginsburg. Yours was a hard-fought path and you have served the country, especially women, well and with honor.” Another said, “No. No. No. I can't deal with 2020 anymore, it hits us with wave after wave. Its takes the best people, we didn't deserve her, but we needed her. She was an inspiration to all. RIP Queen.” A user stated, “This woman was iconic from the beginning. Forever Notorious RBG. No. No. No. RIP Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg.” One user commented, "No. no. no. As if things couldn’t get any worse. Finding out that Ruth Bader Ginsburg has passed away is both tragic and frightening. Let us be reminded that in this election we’re not just electing a new president we’re now electing a new Supreme Court justice also. So pls vote."