A federal judge in Florida has taken measures to prevent the state’s health department leader from intimidating television stations that broadcast commercials in support of an abortion rights initiative set for the upcoming ballot.

U.S. District Judge Mark Walker decided on Tuesday to prolong a temporary restraining order, siding with the advocacy group, Floridians Defending Freedom, which developed the advertisements promoting the constitutional amendment that aims to secure abortion rights if it is approved on November 5.

The judge delivered his ruling after hearing arguments from both the campaign’s attorneys and state officials. This latest order extends a prior injunction that prevents State Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo from taking any action that would intimidate or coerce broadcasters airing the contentious commercials.

Judge Walker stated that this extension would provide him additional time to make a determination regarding the preliminary injunction sought by the abortion rights proponents.

The lawsuit was initiated after an October 3 letter from Ladapo and John Wilson, who was the primary legal advisor for the state health department before his unexpected resignation, instructed TV stations to cease airing the abortion rights advertisement. The letter claimed that the ad was misleading and posed risks, further warning that broadcasters could potentially face criminal charges for continuing to air it.