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

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Anyone who protests in front 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 manner that is geared toward deliberately harassing or disturbing somebody of their dwelling. 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, however.

The governor mentioned 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’ properties in Virginia.

“Sending unruly mobs to non-public residences, like we've got seen with the indignant crowds in front of the properties of Supreme Court docket justices, is inappropriate,” DeSantis mentioned in an e-mail to information companies. “This invoice will present safety to these dwelling in residential communities and I am glad to signal it into law.”

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

The legislation is scheduled to take effect Oct. 1.