Ban on protests in front 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 underneath a invoice Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis signed Monday.

The laws makes it a second-degree misdemeanor to protest in a fashion that is aimed at deliberately harassing or disturbing somebody of their residence. 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 new law will stop 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 non-public residences, like now we have seen with the angry crowds in front of the homes of Supreme Court docket justices, is inappropriate,” DeSantis said in an email to news businesses. “This bill will present protection to those residing in residential communities and I am glad to signal it into legislation.”

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

The regulation is scheduled to take impact Oct. 1.