Over 100 people gathered on the steps of the Governor George Deukmejian Courthouse in Downtown Long Beach to honor the legacy of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who died Friday.

Jacqui Viale, a member of Long Beach Resister Sisters, said the group just wanted to come together to feel the loss of Ginsburg, who she described as a “legal giant.”

Those who attended held signs, lit candles and recited a Kaddish, a Hebrew prayer for the dead, and sang “We Shall Overcome.”

“If you are upset take action,” said Jim Dowding, 62, a Long Beach resident and Long Beach Unified School District high school teacher.

Ginsburg, who was 87, died at her Washington home of complications of metastatic pancreatic cancer, the Supreme Court announced late Friday.

Viale said the event was not intended as a protest over Republican promises to push through a new nominee before the Nov. 3 election, but some who gathered said they were discouraged by the prospect.

President Donald Trump and Senate Republicans, including Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, signaled they would try to seize the opportunity to name and confirm Ginsburg’s successor in the final days of Trump’s first term.

“The best thing we can do to honor Ruth’s memory is to go forward and fight like hell,” Viale said.

Over 125 people gather for a candlelight vigil to honor Associate Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg who died last night. Photo by Brandon Richardson.
Larry Hashima, 51, a Cal State Long Beach American Studies professor, lights a candle for Lisa Kathleen, 50, a Huntington Beach resident, during a candlelight vigil in honor of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Photo by Brandon Richardson.
Over 125 people gather for a candlelight vigil to honor Associate Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg who died last night. Photo by Brandon Richardson.
A candle gets light during a vigil in honor of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg who died last night. Photo by Brandon Richardson.
Jacqui Viale, 55, a Long Beach resident, organized a candlelight vigil in honor of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Photo by Brandon Richardson.
A mourner holds a sign at the Gov. George Deukmejian Courthouse in Downtown Long Beach during a candlelight vigil to honor Associate Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Photo by Brandon Richardson.
Mourners gather at the Gov. George Deukmejian Courthouse in Downtown Long Beach for a candlelight vigil to honor Associate Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg who died last night after serving on the Supreme Court of the United States for 27 years. Photo by Brandon Richardson.
Organizer Jacqui Viale, 55, a Long Beach resident, speaks during a candlelight vigil to honor Associate Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Photo by Brandon Richardson.
Mourners sing verses of “We Shall Overcome” and “America the Beautiful” during a candlelight vigil in honor Associate Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Photo by Brandon Richardson.