Skip Navigation LinksHome > News Media > Media Advisories > _09/22/20

Media Advisory For Further Information Contact:
September 21, 2020 Kathleen Arberg (202) 479-3211


Associate Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg will lie in repose at the Supreme Court on Wednesday, September 23, and Thursday, September 24. The casket will arrive in front of the Court just before 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday. A private ceremony will take place in the Great Hall at 9:30 a.m. attended by Justice Ginsburg’s family, close friends, and members of the Court. Following the private ceremony inside, Justice Ginsburg will lie in repose under the Portico at the top of the front steps of the Building to allow for the public to pay respects outdoors.

Outside arrival ceremony:

Outside, the north side of the Plaza will be cordoned off for reporters holding Supreme Court credentials only. Broadcast coverage on the Plaza will be pooled by C-SPAN. Still photography on the Plaza during the arrival of the casket will be pooled by the Associated Press. The front Plaza will otherwise be closed.

Inside ceremony:

Press coverage of the private ceremony inside will be pooled. C-SPAN will serve as broadcast pool for coverage of the ceremony in the Great Hall at 9:30 a.m. An Associated Press photographer will serve as pool photographer for the 9:30 a.m. ceremony and an Associated Press reporter will serve as the print pool.

Outside public viewing:

Starting at 11 a.m., still photographers with government issued press credentials will be permitted in the cordoned off area of the Plaza. If space allows, still photographers will be rotated in groups of no more than three photographers at a time. A member of the Public Information Office staff will check in photographers on the Maryland Avenue side of the Building and provide an escort to the press area on the Plaza. Still photographers interested in gaining access to the Plaza should contact pio@supremecourt.gov. Otherwise, photography is permitted as usual on the sidewalk.

Sidewalk press area:

There will be a designated press area on the north side of the front sidewalk. A cable tunnel will be put in place to allow networks to pull cable from the connectivity box on the south side of the sidewalk to the north side. Cable pull must be completed prior to 3 p.m. on Tuesday, September 22. Street closures around the Building will begin, including on First Street, at 4 p.m. on Tuesday, September 22. Any press already in place at that time can remain. Any reporters or crew arriving after that time will have to arrive on foot and access the area via Maryland Avenue from Constitution Avenue. All press who wish to gain access to the north side of the front sidewalk must be prepared to show Police a valid government-issued press credential.

All members of the press are advised to follow Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. Social distancing should be observed on the Plaza and the wearing of face coverings/masks will be required.

The Court Building remains closed to the public, and press will not have access inside the Building, until further notice.

 

SUPREME COURT OF THE UNITED STATES 1 First Street, NE Washington, DC 20543