Ban on protests in front of properties signed by Gov. DeSantis

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Anybody who protests in front of a personal residence in Florida can face jail time and fines under a invoice Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis signed Monday.

The laws makes it a second-degree misdemeanor to protest in a fashion that's aimed at deliberately harassing or disturbing somebody in their house. Violators face 60 days in jail and fines of up to $500.

Protesters can only be arrested after ignoring law enforcement’s orders to disperse, nonetheless.

The governor said the brand new law will stop protests in Florida like these waged by abortion rights protesters in entrance of U.S. Supreme Courtroom justices’ homes in Virginia.

“Sending unruly mobs to private residences, like we've got seen with the offended crowds in front of the properties of Supreme Court docket justices, is inappropriate,” DeSantis said in an e mail to information companies. “This bill will provide safety to these living in residential communities and I am glad to signal it into regulation.”

Some Democrats opposed the invoice, arguing it infringes on individuals’s First Amendment rights to free speech.

The legislation is scheduled to take impact Oct. 1.