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

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Anybody who protests in front of a private 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 way that is geared toward deliberately harassing or disturbing somebody in their home. Violators face 60 days in jail and fines of up to $500.

Protesters can solely be arrested after ignoring law enforcement’s orders to disperse, however.

The governor mentioned the new regulation will prevent protests in Florida like those waged by abortion rights protesters in entrance of U.S. Supreme Court justices’ homes in Virginia.

“Sending unruly mobs to non-public residences, like now we have seen with the indignant crowds in entrance of the properties of Supreme Court docket justices, is inappropriate,” DeSantis mentioned in an e-mail to information companies. “This bill will present protection to these living in residential communities and I'm glad to signal it into legislation.”

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

The legislation is scheduled to take impact Oct. 1.