ST. LOUIS ― A judge has ruled that Missouri’s only abortion clinic may remain open for now, ahead of the expiration of its operating license at the end of Friday.

Judge Michael Stelzer, a circuit court judge in St. Louis, issued a temporary restraining order, blocking Missouri from revoking Planned Parenthood’s operating license until another hearing takes place, which is currently scheduled for June 4.

“Today is a victory for women across Missouri, but this fight is far from over,” said Planned Parenthood President and CEO Leana Wen. “We have seen just how vulnerable access to abortion care is here ― and in the rest of the country. We are glad that the governor has been prevented from putting women’s health and lives in danger ― for now ― and call on him to stop this egregious politicalization of public health in an attempt to ban all safe, legal abortion care in the state.”

Planned Parenthood announced this week that it would have to close the St. Louis clinic unless the state renewed its license, which expired on May 31. It sued the state, asking a judge to stop it from shutting the group ― and the clinic ― down.

If the St. Louis clinic closes, Missouri will become the first state without an abortion facility since the Supreme Court decided Roe v. Wade in 1973.

The state became the latest focal point for the battle over abortion rights, with hundreds of people joining a rally in support of Planned Parenthood on Thursday.

On Friday morning, anti-abortion protesters congregated in front of the clinic, holding signs and praying for the judge to rule in their favor. As patients left the parking lot, they cheerfully handed them pamphlets advertising services for pregnant women.