Ban on protests in entrance of houses signed by Gov. DeSantis

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Anyone who protests in entrance of a non-public residence in Florida can face jail time and fines beneath a invoice Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis signed Monday.

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

Protesters can only be arrested after ignoring legislation enforcement’s orders to disperse, nevertheless.

The governor said the new legislation will stop protests in Florida like those waged by abortion rights protesters in front of U.S. Supreme Court docket justices’ homes in Virginia.

“Sending unruly mobs to private residences, like now we have seen with the indignant crowds in front of the properties of Supreme Courtroom justices, is inappropriate,” DeSantis stated in an electronic mail to news companies. “This bill will provide safety to those living in residential communities and I am glad to signal it into legislation.”

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

The legislation is scheduled to take effect Oct. 1.