California to keep abortion legal as lawmakers put up a fight

Pregnant valley woman speaks out on supreme court ruling - News 11's Wiley Jawhary reports

IMPERIAL, Calif. (KYMA, KECY) - California on the other hand is putting up a fight and some local lawmakers in Imperial County say they will defend women's rights. 

Additionally, Planned Parenthood says it expects more traffic coming from Arizona to El Centro now that abortion has been banned in the Grand Canyon State.

Democratic Rep. Raul Ruiz says he is disappointed beyond words.

 "Today is a very bad day for women's rights, it is so important to protect a women's right to make decisions that would affect her life, and future," he said.

Brian Hawkins a candidate for Imperial County's 25th district says he thinks this was the right decision.

"I think that's the best thing they could have done, according to our constitution the 10th amendment says the state has the right to make decisions," he said.

California plans to keep abortion legal and add protections for abortion providers.

Emily Lara is pregnant and says taking away abortion will not lower abortion rates but leave women more vulnerable.

"I am really happy we are having a baby and I would never ask or encourage anyone to get an abortion but I understand the fear of having a baby, it is really hard to tell a women you have to have this baby and let it change your life forever," she said.

Others like Jasmine Banna say the focus should be on children in the classroom.

"There are kids, and babies and children getting killed at schools. If you really want to protect our kids and our children don't protect those who are unborn there are children right here who are born and need your protection," she said.

Governor Gavin Newsom says California abortion will remain legal and lawmakers will continue to fight to protect women's rights.