SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) — A memorial service for the late U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein was held on the front steps of San Francisco City Hall on Thursday, in the city where she served as its first female mayor. The service started after 1 p.m., and several dignitaries and notable people speaking.
The memorial was not open to members of the public after Sen. Feinstein’s office previously said it would be. The service was broadcast live on KRON4 and streamed on KRON On Thursday at 1 p.m. with special coverage beginning at noon.
Speakers at Sen. Feinstein’s memorial service include:
- U.S. President Joe Biden (recorded)
- U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris
- San Francisco Mayor London Breed
- U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer
- U.S. House Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi
- Eileen Mariano (Sen. Feinstein’s granddaughter)
California Gov. Gavin Newsom is in attendance but is not among the speakers.
Sen. Feinstein will be buried at a private, family-only ceremony after the memorial service.
Here is our live blog covering Thursday’s memorial service.
Sen. Feinstein memorial service updates:
2:20 p.m. — San Francisco Girls Chorus performs “San Francisco”
2:12 p.m. — Feinstein’s granddaughter, Eileen Mariano speaks
2:02 p.m. — Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi delivers her remarks
1:52 p.m. — “I just did”: Sen. Majority Leader Schumer shares personal memory of Feinstein
Sen. Schumer shared a personal anecdote on Feinstein, who he called “unflappable.”
1:42 p.m. — Vice President Kamala Harris speaks
Following the president’s remarks, the Vice President spoke in-person, calling Feinstein an “icon,” an “American patriot,” a “giant of the Senate” and a “force.”
1:40 p.m. — “God bless Dianne Feinstein”: President Joe Biden addresses memorial with taped remarks
President Biden was not present at Thursday’s memorial, but a brief prerecorded statement from him was played to those in attendance.
1:30 p.m. — SF Mayor London Breed thanks Feinstein for bringing Blue Angels to SF
SF Mayor London Breed opened the memorial with personal reflections on Sen. Feinstein and thanked then-Mayor Feinstein for bringing the Blue Angels to SF.
1:24 p.m. — Speakers take their seats as memorial service begins
As the Blue Angels roared overheard, San Francisco Mayor London Breed, Vice President Kamala Harris, Sen. Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi and Feinstein granddaughter Eileen Mariano all took their seats as the memorial gets underway.
12:05 p.m. — Dignitaries arrive at SFO
Vice President Kamala Harris and other American VIPs have arrived at San Francisco International Airport ahead of the late Sen. Feinstein’s memorial service.
6:04 a.m. — Former President Clinton to attend
On Wednesday night, it was announced that the public would no longer be able to attend Sen. Feinstein’s memorial service in person at City Hall. The U.S. Secret Service reportedly made this call due to safety concerns of attending dignitaries. Former President Bill Clinton was added as an attendee late Wednesday night.
5:30 a.m. – A city supervisor, mayor and senator remembered Wednesday
The public was invited to pay their respects inside San Francisco City Hall Wednesday as Sen. Feinstein laid in state. The senator’s casket arrived early at 8 a.m. to a crowd already lined up, and the casket left well after the scheduled time of 7 p.m. so that all those still in line who wanted to have a private moment with her could do so.
Thousands of mourners who attended were asked to sign a condolence book for the family.