Community reflects on the legacy of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- In a symbol of great honor, the flags are slowly lowered to half-staff outside of the capitol building in Washington, D.C. Friday.

This as word comes that Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg has lost her battle with cancer.

It was just on Thursday, Ginsburg was honored with this year's Liberty Medal at The National Constitution Center in Philadelphia.

For more than 27 years, she served on the Supreme Court.

She made an impact on so many, including Katherine Kane, who is a student at Villanova University.

"Her entire life, people were just always putting her down and she just kinda blocked them out and just kept doing her thing," said Kane. "And it shows that's what women should do."

Denver Miller of Old City said, "She's been a solid contributor and a solid piece of our country."

Her nickname was Notorious RBG and at five foot tall, she was a giant.

Lynne Abraham, Philadelphia's first female District Attorney says Justice Ginsburg made her career possible.

"She not only blazed the trail, she wrote the map," said Abraham. "I was very distressed that before her body probably reached the funeral home, those loathsome politicians in Washington were already talking about her replacement."

But those Actions News spoke with wonder how she'll be replaced on the court.

Some say Ginsburg's replacement should be made after the election.

"Obama wasn't able to get his nomination, and we're wondering if the hypocrisy will happen and the Senate will actually pass a justice before this election," said Jessie Bricker of New York City.

Others say it shouldn't get political.

Friday, senate majority Mitch McConnell released a statement, saying the nation will mourn Ginsburg's loss.

McConnell also stated President Trump's nominee will receive a vote on the floor of the United States Senate.

Following Justice Ginsburg's death, President Trump tweeted Saturday "We have this obligation, without delay, to fill her vacant seat."

Former Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell shared his thoughts in response to Republicans saying they will fill the seat before the election.

"You're a complete hypocrite, you're a liar, you lied to your constituents saying they will fill the seat before the election," he said.

Rendall says that goes against what the party said before the 2016 election when there was a Supreme Court seat to fill.

"They would be directly contradicting what they said four years ago when President Obama appointed Merrick Garland," Rendell added.

"A replacement before the election could set in motion a chain reaction of retaliation over the court, that could destroy its legitimacy for generations," said Jeffrey Rosen, the CEO of the National Constitution Center. "Which was the last thing she would have wanted."

Rosen was a close friend of Justice Ginsburg.

With the help of the National Constitution Center, he honored her Thursday with the Liberty Medal and a 48-minute video with tributes from her friends and family.

Justice Ginsburg's response is her last known public statement.

"I think what would RBG do? And I try to focus, tune in, and get back to work," said Rosen.