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

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Anybody who protests in entrance of a non-public residence in Florida can face jail time and fines underneath 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 someone of their residence. Violators face 60 days in jail and fines of as much as $500.

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

The governor stated the brand new legislation will stop protests in Florida like those waged by abortion rights protesters in front of U.S. Supreme Court docket justices’ houses in Virginia.

“Sending unruly mobs to non-public residences, like we have seen with the indignant crowds in front of the houses of Supreme Court justices, is inappropriate,” DeSantis stated in an e mail to news companies. “This invoice will provide safety to these dwelling in residential communities and I'm glad to sign it into regulation.”

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

The regulation is scheduled to take effect Oct. 1.