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

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

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

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

The governor stated the brand new regulation will forestall 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 private residences, like we've seen with the angry crowds in entrance of the houses of Supreme Court justices, is inappropriate,” DeSantis mentioned in an electronic mail to news businesses. “This bill will provide safety to these residing in residential communities and I am glad to sign it into legislation.”

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

The regulation is scheduled to take impact Oct. 1.