Casey Jones (center) and Maia Hayes march on Seventh Street downtown during an abortion rights rally and march on Thursday, May 30, 2019. Photo by Robert Cohen, rcohen@post-dispatch.com.
Joan Bray, a former state senator, is brought out of the Wainwright State Office Building after being arrested during a sit-in in the lobby on Thursday, May 30, 2019. Abortion rights protesters marched in downtown St. Louis to call attention to Missouri Gov. Mike Parson signing abortion ban legislation. Photo by Robert Cohen, rcohen@post-dispatch.com
Protesters are reflected in the front doors of the Wainwright State Office Building as St. Louis police monitor a sit-in inside the lobby on Thursday, May 30, 2019. A rally and march downtown was held to call attention to Missouri Gov. Mike Parson signing abortion ban legislation. Arrests were later made after protesters refused to leave the building. Photo by Robert Cohen, rcohen@post-dispatch.com
Ellen Prize of the Coalition for Life approaches exiting cars from the parking lot of Planned Parenthood to hand out literature at the Central West End facility on Tuesday, May 28, 2019. Planned Parenthood officials said the facility's license was in jeopardy after the state sought to "interrogate" doctors as part of an annual license renewal process. Photo by Robert Cohen, rcohen@post-dispatch.com.
A clinic escort awaits patients at Planned Parenthood in the Central West End facility on Tuesday, May 28, 2019. Planned Parenthood officials said the facility's license was in jeopardy after the state sought to "interrogate" doctors as part of an annual license renewal process. Photo by Robert Cohen, rcohen@post-dispatch.com.
Joan Bray (center), a former state senator, is arrested with other protesters during a sit-in inside the lobby of the Wainwright State Office Building on Thursday, May 30, 2019. Abortion rights protesters marched in downtown St. Louis to call attention to Missouri Gov. Mike Parson signing abortion ban legislation. Photo by Robert Cohen, rcohen@post-dispatch.com
Protesters are reflected in the front doors of the Wainwright State Office Building as St. Louis police monitor a sit-in inside the lobby on Thursday, May 30, 2019. A rally and march downtown was held to call attention to Missouri Gov. Mike Parson signing abortion ban legislation. Arrests were later made after protesters refused to leave the building. Photo by Robert Cohen, rcohen@post-dispatch.com.
Protesters hold a sit-in in the lobby of the Wainwright State Office Building as St. Louis police monitor the demonstration on Thursday, May 30, 2019. A rally and march downtown was held to call attention to Missouri Gov. Mike Parson signing abortion ban legislation. Arrests were later made after protesters refused to leave the building. Photo by Robert Cohen, rcohen@post-dispatch.com
Abortion rights rally attendees await speakers in Luther Ely Smith Park in an event held to support Planned Parenthood on Thursday, May 30, 2019. A march and sit-in later resulted in arrests in the Wainwright State Office Building. Photo by Robert Cohen, rcohen@post-dispatch.com.
An abortion rights protester attends a rally to support Planned Parenthood of the St. Louis Region held downtown on Thursday, May 30, 2019. Photo by Robert Cohen, rcohen@post-dispatch.com.
Kawanna Shannon (center), director of surgical services at Planned Parenthood of the St. Louis Region, is embraced by a supporter after an emotional speech at an abortion rights rally downtown on Thursday, May 30, 2019. Photo by Robert Cohen, rcohen@post-dispatch.com.
Kara Fitzgerald is confronted by a motorist as she attends an abortion rights rally in support of Planned Parenthood held in downtown St. Louis on Thursday, May 30, 2019. "I don't want anybody to cause trouble for anyone here. This is a peaceful protest," said Fitzgerald. Photo by Robert Cohen, rcohen@post-dispatch.com.
Casey Jones (center) and Maia Hayes march on Seventh Street downtown during an abortion rights rally and march on Thursday, May 30, 2019. Photo by Robert Cohen, rcohen@post-dispatch.com.
ST. LOUIS — Missouri's only abortion clinic won a temporary reprieve in court on Friday, and may continue providing abortions for now, a St. Louis judge ruled.
St. Louis Circuit Judge Michael Stelzer granted a request from Planned Parenthood of the St. Louis Region for a temporary restraining order that stopped the clinic's license from expiring at midnight on Friday.
But Stelzer's ruling effectively extends the license for only a few days. He scheduled a hearing at 9 a.m. Tuesday for further debate.
Still, supporters were relieved. "The fight goes on," Dr. Colleen McNicholas, an obstetrician-gynecologist at the St. Louis clinic, said in a statement. "While temporary, we celebrate today, and tomorrow we go back to work to ensure access to abortion does not go dark at the last health center that provides abortion in Missouri."
The news disappointed some abortion opponents, but they remained hopeful. “It’s inevitable they’re going to lose,” said Rita Frances Ward. “Because God wins.”
Stelzer's order comes a day after hearing arguments over Planned Parenthood's future here, and a week after Gov. Mike Parson signed one of the nation's strictest abortion laws. The two events have together turned the nation's attention on Missouri, one of several states to pass stricter abortion laws. Activists on both sides protested in St. Louis on Thursday and Friday. Police arrested sixteen abortion-rights advocates Thursday after a protest spilled into the Wainwright building downtown. On Friday, abortion opponents gathered in front of Planned Parenthood's Central West End clinic, 4251 Forest Park Avenue.
Last Friday, Parson signed the law prohibiting most abortions eight weeks into a pregnancy. It takes effect Aug. 28.
On Tuesday, Planned Parenthood sued the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, alleging the state agency was illegally refusing to renew the St. Louis abortion clinic's yearly license until the department could complete an investigation into an unspecified patient complaint.
The legal fight stems from the state's Department of Health and Human Services' request to interview seven physicians, all of whom had worked at the clinic, as part of the investigation. Five of the doctors, who aren't employed by Planned Parenthood but come from local university medical programs to treat patients at the clinic, have refused to be interviewed as part of the state's investigation.
Planned Parenthood said it has no power to compel those doctors to speak to the department about the investigation, which began in April after a routine inspection a month earlier. The clinic said the March 11-13 inspection included interviews with doctors and staff and cited some "non-remarkable" deficiencies — such as failing to ensure all staff participated in a fire drill. The inspection also cited Planned Parenthood for the timing of a pelvic exam and the clinic's failure to ensure that the same doctor who provided an "informed consent visit" three days before an abortion was also the one performing the procedure. The clinic says it submitted a correction plan as required.
A lawyer for DHSS argued Thursday that the doctors' refusal to be interviewed as part of the investigation is "unprecedented" and that the clinic has the burden of forcing the physicians to cooperate. He said it is common to seek interviews with people who work in health care facilities as part of the license renewal process.
On Friday, Stelzer said he was not ruling on the merits of the controversy. The state argued that there was "no prospect" it would decide whether to renew the clinic's license before midnight Friday.
"Petitioner has demonstrated that immediate and irreparable injury will result if petitioner's license is allowed to expire," Stelzer wrote.
About 60 abortion opponents protested on Friday outside Planned Parenthood, hoping Stelzer would side with the state. Some carried “Choose Life” signs. Others prayed the rosary. Some hoped to deter women coming in for abortions.
Every few minutes, cars on Forest Park Avenue honked loudly in support. One driver cheered as she waited at a stoplight.
“It’s electric,” said Kathy Forck of New Bloomfield, Mo. “You can feel the excitement in the air. We can hardly wait.”
But by the early afternoon, news of Stelzer's decision had reached the clinic sidewalk.
A handful of abortion-rights supporters counter-protesting a few feet away erupted in high-fives and celebration, nearly drowning out Ward, the abortion opponent, who was singing the third verse of “Amazing Grace” into a microphone.
Abortion rights rally results in arrests downtown

Casey Jones (center) and Maia Hayes march on Seventh Street downtown during an abortion rights rally and march on Thursday, May 30, 2019. Photo by Robert Cohen, rcohen@post-dispatch.com.
Abortion rights rally results in arrests downtown

Protesters are reflected in the front doors of the Wainwright State Office Building as St. Louis police monitor a sit-in inside the lobby on Thursday, May 30, 2019. A rally and march downtown was held to call attention to Missouri Gov. Mike Parson signing abortion ban legislation. Arrests were later made after protesters refused to leave the building. Photo by Robert Cohen, rcohen@post-dispatch.com
Abortion rights rally results in arrests downtown

Joan Bray, a former state senator, is brought out of the Wainwright State Office Building after being arrested during a sit-in in the lobby on Thursday, May 30, 2019. Abortion rights protesters marched in downtown St. Louis to call attention to Missouri Gov. Mike Parson signing abortion ban legislation. Photo by Robert Cohen, rcohen@post-dispatch.com
Abortion rights rally results in arrests downtown

Kara Fitzgerald is confronted by a motorist as she attends an abortion rights rally in support of Planned Parenthood held in downtown St. Louis on Thursday, May 30, 2019. "I don't want anybody to cause trouble for anyone here. This is a peaceful protest," said Fitzgerald. Photo by Robert Cohen, rcohen@post-dispatch.com.
Abortion rights rally results in arrests downtown

Pamela Merritt of Reproaction speaks during an abortion rights rally in Luther Ely Smith Park to support Planned Parenthood on Thursday, May 30, 2019. Photo by Robert Cohen, rcohen@post-dispatch.com.
Abortion rights rally results in arrests downtown

Abortion rights rally attendees await speakers in Luther Ely Smith Park in an event held to support Planned Parenthood on Thursday, May 30, 2019. A march and sit-in later resulted in arrests in the Wainwright State Office Building. Photo by Robert Cohen, rcohen@post-dispatch.com.
Abortion rights rally results in arrests downtown

An abortion rights protester attends a rally to support Planned Parenthood of the St. Louis Region held downtown on Thursday, May 30, 2019. Photo by Robert Cohen, rcohen@post-dispatch.com.
Abortion rights rally results in arrests downtown

Kawanna Shannon (center), director of surgical services at Planned Parenthood of the St. Louis Region, is embraced by a supporter after an emotional speech at an abortion rights rally downtown on Thursday, May 30, 2019. Photo by Robert Cohen, rcohen@post-dispatch.com.
Abortion rights rally results in arrests downtown

Abortion rights rally attendees hear speakers during a rally in Luther Ely Smith Park to support Planned Parenthood on Thursday, May 30, 2019. Photo by Robert Cohen, rcohen@post-dispatch.com.
Abortion rights rally results in arrests downtown

Abortion rights supporters make posters to use at a rally to to support Planned Parenthood held at Luther Ely Smith Park downtown on Thursday, May 30, 2019. Photo by Robert Cohen, rcohen@post-dispatch.com.
Abortion rights rally results in arrests downtown

Joan Bray (center), a former state senator, is arrested with other protesters during a sit-in inside the lobby of the Wainwright State Office Building on Thursday, May 30, 2019. Abortion rights protesters marched in downtown St. Louis to call attention to Missouri Gov. Mike Parson signing abortion ban legislation. Photo by Robert Cohen, rcohen@post-dispatch.com
Abortion rights rally results in arrests downtown

A St. Louis police officer is helped with directions by an abortion rights march organizer as the group heads for the Wainwright Building on Thursday, May 30, 2019. Photo by Robert Cohen, rcohen@post-dispatch.com.
Abortion rights rally results in arrests downtown

Abortion rights marchers walk on Market Street following a rally to support Planned Parenthood in downtown St. Louis on Thursday, May 30, 2019. Photo by Robert Cohen, rcohen@post-dispatch.com.
Abortion rights rally results in arrests downtown

Protesters are reflected in the front doors of the Wainwright State Office Building as St. Louis police monitor a sit-in inside the lobby on Thursday, May 30, 2019. A rally and march downtown was held to call attention to Missouri Gov. Mike Parson signing abortion ban legislation. Arrests were later made after protesters refused to leave the building. Photo by Robert Cohen, rcohen@post-dispatch.com.
Abortion rights rally results in arrests downtown

Casey Jones (center) and Maia Hayes march on Seventh Street downtown during an abortion rights rally and march on Thursday, May 30, 2019. Photo by Robert Cohen, rcohen@post-dispatch.com.
Abortion rights rally results in arrests downtown

Abortion rights rally attendees cheer drivers honking horns during a rally in Luther Ely Smith Park to support Planned Parenthood on Thursday, May 30, 2019. Photo by Robert Cohen, rcohen@post-dispatch.com.
Abortion rights rally results in arrests downtown

Protesters hold a sit-in in the lobby of the Wainwright State Office Building as St. Louis police monitor the demonstration on Thursday, May 30, 2019. A rally and march downtown was held to call attention to Missouri Gov. Mike Parson signing abortion ban legislation. Arrests were later made after protesters refused to leave the building. Photo by Robert Cohen, rcohen@post-dispatch.com
Abortion rights rally results in arrests downtown

Arrested protesters await transport inside the Wainwright State Office Building after they held a sit-in to protest Gov. Mike Parson's signing of an abortion ban on Thursday, May 30, 2019. Photo by Robert Cohen, rcohen@post-dispatch.com.
Abortion rights rally results in arrests downtown

Arrested protester Ben Senturia gives a police officer his information as he and about a dozen others await transport inside the Wainwright State Office Building following a sit-in to protest Gov. Mike Parson's signing of an abortion ban on Thursday, May 30, 2019. Photo by Robert Cohen, rcohen@post-dispatch.com.
Abortion rights rally results in arrests downtown

Joan Bray, a former state senator, is brought out of the Wainwright State Office Building after being arrested during a sit-in in the lobby on Thursday, May 30, 2019. Abortion rights protesters marched in downtown St. Louis to call attention to Missouri Gov. Mike Parson signing abortion ban legislation. Photo by Robert Cohen, rcohen@post-dispatch.com.
Abortion rights rally results in arrests downtown

Dana Sandweiss, a Planned Parenthood board member, is put into a prisoner transport van after taking part in a sit-in to protest Gov. Mike Parson's signing of an abortion ban on Thursday, May 30, 2019. Photo by Robert Cohen, rcohen@post-dispatch.com.
Abortion rights rally results in arrests downtown

Maureen Jordan is loaded into a prisoner transport van by St. Louis police officers following the arrest of at least a dozen sit-in protesters that occupied the lobby of the Wainwright State Office Building to protest Gov. Mike Parson's signing of an abortion ban on Thursday, May 30, 2019. Photo by Robert Cohen, rcohen@post-dispatch.com.
Confronting Gov. Mike Parson

"I am out here because I am outraged. 70 percent of Americans want safe legal abortion, it's ridiculous we have to fight this," said Shauna Garside of Webster Groves, (in the pink shirt) a member of CountHER Movement, who was one of seven people who confronted Missouri Gov. Mike Parson (far left), as he entered a studio to film an interview on Thursday, May 30, 2019, at University Club Tower in Richmond Heights. It appeared the group caught the governor and his security detail off guard as they shouted questions. The group opposes the anti-abortion law Parson signed. In the center is former state Rep. Stacey Newman. Photo by Laurie Skrivan, lskrivan@post-dispatch.com
Abortion rights rally results in arrests downtown

Casey Jones (center) and Maia Hayes march on Seventh Street downtown during an abortion rights rally and march on Thursday, May 30, 2019. Photo by Robert Cohen, rcohen@post-dispatch.com.
Abortion rights rally results in arrests downtown

Protesters are reflected in the front doors of the Wainwright State Office Building as St. Louis police monitor a sit-in inside the lobby on Thursday, May 30, 2019. A rally and march downtown was held to call attention to Missouri Gov. Mike Parson signing abortion ban legislation. Arrests were later made after protesters refused to leave the building. Photo by Robert Cohen, rcohen@post-dispatch.com
Abortion rights rally results in arrests downtown

Joan Bray, a former state senator, is brought out of the Wainwright State Office Building after being arrested during a sit-in in the lobby on Thursday, May 30, 2019. Abortion rights protesters marched in downtown St. Louis to call attention to Missouri Gov. Mike Parson signing abortion ban legislation. Photo by Robert Cohen, rcohen@post-dispatch.com
Abortion rights rally results in arrests downtown

Kara Fitzgerald is confronted by a motorist as she attends an abortion rights rally in support of Planned Parenthood held in downtown St. Louis on Thursday, May 30, 2019. "I don't want anybody to cause trouble for anyone here. This is a peaceful protest," said Fitzgerald. Photo by Robert Cohen, rcohen@post-dispatch.com.
Abortion rights rally results in arrests downtown

Pamela Merritt of Reproaction speaks during an abortion rights rally in Luther Ely Smith Park to support Planned Parenthood on Thursday, May 30, 2019. Photo by Robert Cohen, rcohen@post-dispatch.com.
Abortion rights rally results in arrests downtown

Abortion rights rally attendees await speakers in Luther Ely Smith Park in an event held to support Planned Parenthood on Thursday, May 30, 2019. A march and sit-in later resulted in arrests in the Wainwright State Office Building. Photo by Robert Cohen, rcohen@post-dispatch.com.
Abortion rights rally results in arrests downtown

An abortion rights protester attends a rally to support Planned Parenthood of the St. Louis Region held downtown on Thursday, May 30, 2019. Photo by Robert Cohen, rcohen@post-dispatch.com.
Abortion rights rally results in arrests downtown

Kawanna Shannon (center), director of surgical services at Planned Parenthood of the St. Louis Region, is embraced by a supporter after an emotional speech at an abortion rights rally downtown on Thursday, May 30, 2019. Photo by Robert Cohen, rcohen@post-dispatch.com.
Abortion rights rally results in arrests downtown

Abortion rights rally attendees hear speakers during a rally in Luther Ely Smith Park to support Planned Parenthood on Thursday, May 30, 2019. Photo by Robert Cohen, rcohen@post-dispatch.com.
Abortion rights rally results in arrests downtown

Abortion rights supporters make posters to use at a rally to to support Planned Parenthood held at Luther Ely Smith Park downtown on Thursday, May 30, 2019. Photo by Robert Cohen, rcohen@post-dispatch.com.
Abortion rights rally results in arrests downtown

Joan Bray (center), a former state senator, is arrested with other protesters during a sit-in inside the lobby of the Wainwright State Office Building on Thursday, May 30, 2019. Abortion rights protesters marched in downtown St. Louis to call attention to Missouri Gov. Mike Parson signing abortion ban legislation. Photo by Robert Cohen, rcohen@post-dispatch.com
Abortion rights rally results in arrests downtown

A St. Louis police officer is helped with directions by an abortion rights march organizer as the group heads for the Wainwright Building on Thursday, May 30, 2019. Photo by Robert Cohen, rcohen@post-dispatch.com.
Abortion rights rally results in arrests downtown

Abortion rights marchers walk on Market Street following a rally to support Planned Parenthood in downtown St. Louis on Thursday, May 30, 2019. Photo by Robert Cohen, rcohen@post-dispatch.com.
Abortion rights rally results in arrests downtown

Protesters are reflected in the front doors of the Wainwright State Office Building as St. Louis police monitor a sit-in inside the lobby on Thursday, May 30, 2019. A rally and march downtown was held to call attention to Missouri Gov. Mike Parson signing abortion ban legislation. Arrests were later made after protesters refused to leave the building. Photo by Robert Cohen, rcohen@post-dispatch.com.
Abortion rights rally results in arrests downtown

Casey Jones (center) and Maia Hayes march on Seventh Street downtown during an abortion rights rally and march on Thursday, May 30, 2019. Photo by Robert Cohen, rcohen@post-dispatch.com.
Abortion rights rally results in arrests downtown

Abortion rights rally attendees cheer drivers honking horns during a rally in Luther Ely Smith Park to support Planned Parenthood on Thursday, May 30, 2019. Photo by Robert Cohen, rcohen@post-dispatch.com.
Abortion rights rally results in arrests downtown

Protesters hold a sit-in in the lobby of the Wainwright State Office Building as St. Louis police monitor the demonstration on Thursday, May 30, 2019. A rally and march downtown was held to call attention to Missouri Gov. Mike Parson signing abortion ban legislation. Arrests were later made after protesters refused to leave the building. Photo by Robert Cohen, rcohen@post-dispatch.com
Abortion rights rally results in arrests downtown

Arrested protesters await transport inside the Wainwright State Office Building after they held a sit-in to protest Gov. Mike Parson's signing of an abortion ban on Thursday, May 30, 2019. Photo by Robert Cohen, rcohen@post-dispatch.com.
Abortion rights rally results in arrests downtown

Arrested protester Ben Senturia gives a police officer his information as he and about a dozen others await transport inside the Wainwright State Office Building following a sit-in to protest Gov. Mike Parson's signing of an abortion ban on Thursday, May 30, 2019. Photo by Robert Cohen, rcohen@post-dispatch.com.
Abortion rights rally results in arrests downtown

Joan Bray, a former state senator, is brought out of the Wainwright State Office Building after being arrested during a sit-in in the lobby on Thursday, May 30, 2019. Abortion rights protesters marched in downtown St. Louis to call attention to Missouri Gov. Mike Parson signing abortion ban legislation. Photo by Robert Cohen, rcohen@post-dispatch.com.
Abortion rights rally results in arrests downtown

Dana Sandweiss, a Planned Parenthood board member, is put into a prisoner transport van after taking part in a sit-in to protest Gov. Mike Parson's signing of an abortion ban on Thursday, May 30, 2019. Photo by Robert Cohen, rcohen@post-dispatch.com.
Abortion rights rally results in arrests downtown

Maureen Jordan is loaded into a prisoner transport van by St. Louis police officers following the arrest of at least a dozen sit-in protesters that occupied the lobby of the Wainwright State Office Building to protest Gov. Mike Parson's signing of an abortion ban on Thursday, May 30, 2019. Photo by Robert Cohen, rcohen@post-dispatch.com.
Confronting Gov. Mike Parson

"I am out here because I am outraged. 70 percent of Americans want safe legal abortion, it's ridiculous we have to fight this," said Shauna Garside of Webster Groves, (in the pink shirt) a member of CountHER Movement, who was one of seven people who confronted Missouri Gov. Mike Parson (far left), as he entered a studio to film an interview on Thursday, May 30, 2019, at University Club Tower in Richmond Heights. It appeared the group caught the governor and his security detail off guard as they shouted questions. The group opposes the anti-abortion law Parson signed. In the center is former state Rep. Stacey Newman. Photo by Laurie Skrivan, lskrivan@post-dispatch.com