Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg died Friday, the Supreme Court has announced. She was 87.
"Associate Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg died this evening surrounded by her family at her home in Washington, D.C., due to complications of metastatic pancreas cancer," Court Spokeswoman Kathy Arberg said Friday.
Gov. Walz ordered flags at all state and federal buildings lowered to half-staff to honor Ginburg's life and career.
“Few Americans have done as much for the cause of equality as Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg,” Gov. Walz said. “She broke glass ceilings at every turn. She envisioned and implemented a humane and progressive interpretation of the law. She changed this country for the better.”
Sen. Amy Klobuochar had nothing but praise for Ginsburg.
"She opened doors for women at a time when so many insisted on keeping them shut<" klobuchar said in a statement. she was the first woman to get tenure at columbia law school and showed future women lawyers – like me that anything everything possible. and it never about power or prestige. always defending defenseless. fight for justice. but few lived breathed justice ginsburg did her entire career. dedication our country’s values ideals is an example every american. best way we can honor memory continue p>
An icon. A hero. A woman way ahead of her time.Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg Dies At 87 https://t.co/owly4HAkTm
— Amy Klobuchar (@amyklobuchar)
September 18, 2020 Ginsburg's death opens a pivotal seat on the court less than 50 days before the election.
“Our nation has lost a jurist of historic stature,” Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. said in a statement. “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 tireless and resolute champion of justice.”
Hillary Clinton tweeted, "Justice Ginsburg paved the way for so many women, including me. There will never be another like her. Thank you RBG."
Justice Ginsburg paved the way for so many women, including me. There will never be another like her. Thank you RBG.
— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton)
September 19, 2020 Sen. Chuck Schumer tweeted, "Tonight, we mourn the passing of a giant in American history, a champion for justice, a trailblazer for women. She would want us all to fight as hard as we can to preserve her legacy."
He added in a subsequent tweet, "The American people should have a voice in the selection of their next Supreme Court Justice. Therefore, this vacancy should not be filled until we have a new president."
Tonight, we mourn the passing of a giant in American history, a champion for justice, a trailblazer for women.She would want us all to fight as hard as we can to preserve her legacy.
— Chuck Schumer (@SenSchumer)
September 18, 2020 In July, Ginsburg said she was undergoing chemotherapy treatment for lesions on her liver. The treatment -- which she has been receiving since May -- has led to a "significant reduction of the liver lesions and no new disease," she said at the time.
"On May 19, I began a course of chemotherapy (gemcitabine) to treat a recurrence of cancer. A periodic scan in February followed by a biopsy revealed lesions on my liver. My recent hospitalizations to remove gall stones and treat an infection were unrelated to this recurrence," she said in the July 17 statement. "Immunotherapy first essayed proved unsuccessful. The chemotherapy course, however, is yielding positive results. Satisfied that my treatment course is now clear, I am providing this information."
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