Hundreds pay tribute to Ruth Bader Ginsburg at SLO vigil
A vigil for U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who died Friday from complications due to pancreatic cancer, was held at the San Luis Obispo County courthouse Saturday evening.
Several hundred people showed up to honor the storied justice and listen to local women leaders speak about Ginsburg.
The event was organized in just a few hours the night before by the Women’s March of San Luis Obispo, said organizer Rita Casaverde.
The first speaker, Erica Flores Baltodano, a local civil rights attorney and constitutional law professor, drew loud applause when she said, “Jewish tradition teaches us that a person who dies on Rosh Hashana is a person of great righteousness. Ruth Bader Ginsburg was righteous indeed.”
The crowd cheered loudly at Flores Baltodano’s last line, “Thank you, Justice Ginsburg, We will take it from here.”
Jane Lloyd, the co-chair of the Stonewall Democratic Club of San Luis Obispo County, spoke about “Ginsburg’s fight for women’s rights, LGBT rights and all people’s rights.”
Lloyd credited Ginsburg defense of gay marriage for allowing her to legally visit her wife in the hospital when she was dying of cancer, because they were legally married.
Youth activist Alexa Ford spoke eloquently of Ginsburg, saying, “She was a titan. A champion for democracy and equality.”
Ford also appealed to her peers.
“Young people have always had rights. And we’ve taken that for granted. We’re ignorant to that fact, and it’s time we understand our responsibility to this nation,” she said.
Adrienne Garcia-Specht from the Central Coast Coalition for Undocumented Student Success said that people must have a steadfast commitment to fight inequality.
“When I cried because RBG had left us, I also cried for the injustices that are happening right now,” she said.
Tina Ballantyne, San Luis Obispo County Community organizer for Planned Parenthood California Central Coast, drew cheers when she said, “Justice Ginsburg will be forever remembered as the glorious and notorious RBG.”
“Justice Ginsburg committed her life to protecting the rights, freedoms and health of people across this country. Her powerful words help push our laws and our nation toward equality, freedom and opportunity for all,” Ballantyne said.
Ballantyne pointed toward a sign she spotted in the crowd and read it out loud, “Without Ruth, it’s time to be Ruthless.”
This story was originally published September 19, 2020 at 9:31 PM.