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

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Anyone 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 is aimed toward intentionally harassing or disturbing someone of 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, nevertheless.

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

“Sending unruly mobs to personal residences, like now we have seen with the angry crowds in entrance of the homes of Supreme Court justices, is inappropriate,” DeSantis stated in an email to information agencies. “This invoice will present protection to these residing in residential communities and I'm glad to signal it into regulation.”

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

The regulation is scheduled to take impact Oct. 1.