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

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Anyone who protests in entrance of a non-public 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 manner that is aimed toward deliberately harassing or disturbing someone in their house. Violators face 60 days in jail and fines of up to $500.

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

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

“Sending unruly mobs to private residences, like we've got seen with the indignant crowds in entrance of the properties of Supreme Court justices, is inappropriate,” DeSantis mentioned in an email to news agencies. “This bill will present safety to these residing in residential communities and I'm glad to sign it into legislation.”

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

The law is scheduled to take effect Oct. 1.