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

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Anybody who protests in front of a private residence in Florida can face jail time and fines under a bill Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis signed Monday.

The legislation makes it a second-degree misdemeanor to protest in a fashion that is geared toward deliberately harassing or disturbing someone in their home. Violators face 60 days in jail and fines of up to $500.

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

The governor said the new legislation will stop protests in Florida like those waged by abortion rights protesters in entrance of U.S. Supreme Court justices’ properties in Virginia.

“Sending unruly mobs to non-public residences, like now we have seen with the offended crowds in entrance of the properties of Supreme Court justices, is inappropriate,” DeSantis mentioned in an email to information businesses. “This bill will provide protection to these residing in residential communities and I am glad to sign it into regulation.”

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

The regulation is scheduled to take impact Oct. 1.