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

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

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

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

The governor said the brand new law will forestall protests in Florida like these waged by abortion rights protesters in front of U.S. Supreme Court docket justices’ properties in Virginia.

“Sending unruly mobs to personal residences, like we now have seen with the indignant crowds in front of the homes of Supreme Court docket justices, is inappropriate,” DeSantis stated in an email to news businesses. “This invoice will present safety to these residing in residential communities and I am glad to sign it into legislation.”

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

The law is scheduled to take impact Oct. 1.