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

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Anyone who protests in entrance of a personal residence in Florida can face jail time and fines underneath a bill Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis signed Monday.

The legislation makes it a second-degree misdemeanor to protest in a manner that's aimed toward deliberately harassing or disturbing somebody of their dwelling. 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 mentioned the brand new legislation will stop protests in Florida like those waged by abortion rights protesters in front of U.S. Supreme Courtroom justices’ properties in Virginia.

“Sending unruly mobs to non-public residences, like we have seen with the offended crowds in entrance of the homes of Supreme Court docket justices, is inappropriate,” DeSantis mentioned in an electronic mail to information businesses. “This invoice will present protection to those dwelling in residential communities and I am glad to sign it into legislation.”

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.