Jordan Daniels has worked in the Atlanta film industry for years. Monday's court ruling, which reversed the controversial "heartbeat" abortion bill passed last year in Georgia, came as a relief.

"We did have a few productions leave on the basis of HB 481, and I'm happy that more won't," she said. "Obviously, I'm dually relieved since I'm a woman who loves her job, and also wants the right to choose."

A federal judge permanently blocked Georgia’s 2019 abortion law on Monday night, finding that it violates the U.S. Constitution. U.S. District Judge Steve Jones ruled against the state in a lawsuit filed by abortion providers and an advocacy group.

Republican Gov. Brian Kemp immediately vowed to appeal, saying, "Georgia values life, and we will keep fighting for the rights of the unborn." 

The law sparked an intense debate over women's rights and put a highlight on the shifting political identity of Georgia shortly after it passed last year. Some film productions, which had set up in Georgia in the past several years due to the state's film tax credit, vowed to leave the state. 

Local crew member Elliot Long said some film companies kept true to their boycott of Georgia. 

"There was a lot of uncertainty, so I think many of us were just waiting to see what happened in the courts," he said. "A couple movies and TV shows that were considering filming here went elsewhere when the bill was first proposed, and I doubt they'll come back at this point."

In spite of that, Long still believes that the recent ruling could encourage many companies to continue working in the state.

"If the Kemp bill has been deemed unconstitutional, then I doubt any productions, companies, and workers will be leaving anytime soon," he said. "There's just too much infrastructure here, plus the tax incentives."

PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Federal Judge Strikes Down Georgia Abortion Restrictions

Republican state Rep. Philip Singleton of Sharpsburg objected to Monday's ruling, in what he dubbed a "blatant abuse of judicial activism."

"We cannot sacrifice science and truth at the altar of the abortion lobby," he said. "We refuse to continue to allow discrimination of persons based on their developmental status."

But Sean J. Young, the legal director for the American Civil Liberties Union of Georgia, said this is a decision that rests at the core of women's rights in the state.

"This case has always been about letting ‘her’ decide. Letting women and others decide how to constitute their own families. We are thrilled to see that the court has agreed, has upheld over 50 years of court precedent. This court did what other courts have decided: to uphold the values of the Constitution."

With Monday's ruling, many court observers are now speculating as to what could be ahead in the future, including a new ruling on Roe v. Wade.

"I can’t speculate about other people’s motives," Young said. "I know a lot of commentators are saying these lawmakers are trying to overturn Roe vs. Wade, but I can’t speak to that. I do know the ACLU is going to fight."

For Singleton, the fight seems inevitable.

"This was destined for the Supreme Court of the United States from the very beginning," he said. "If this bill is upheld, it will grant personhood to an unborn child and that will end the Roe vs. Wade ruling's control for good."

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