Pro-life group protests abortion ruling in Yuba City

When Jennifer Hackney became pregnant at 19, she wasn't sure what her next step would be.

"That moment tested me," Hackney said.

After finding out the infant maturing inside of her developed a heartbeat just 18 days after conception, she "knew it was a life" and decided to keep the baby.

About three dozen people from the Yuba-Sutter Right to Life group held signs opposing abortion on Tuesday near Planned Parentedhood on Palora Avenue in Yuba City, the 40th anniversary of Roe v. Wade decision from the US Supreme Court.

The 1973 ruling, which made abortion legal, was noted around the nation by protest groups and reaffirmed in a statement by President Barack Obama.

In Yuba City, members of the pro-life group, including Steven Ray, walked to each of corners of Franklin Avenue and Highway 99 to make their message visible to passing traffic.

"They're killing children," Ray said, while looking for an ultra-sound image to show of a granddaughter his daughter-in-law is expecting.

"She's a human even at 20 weeks old," Ray said.

Back on Palora Avenue, Yuba-Sutter Right to Life secretary Heather Pugh held rosary beads as she said prayers while holding a sign that read "Planned Parenthood Kills Babies."

Noting that there are other alternatives to abortion, Pugh said she had previously been pro-choice before becoming pregnant at 18. She gave birth to a son who is now 25, and has been pro-life ever since.

"My hope and prayer is that Roe v. Wade becomes obsolete because people come to value life," said Pugh.