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

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

The laws makes it a second-degree misdemeanor to protest in a fashion that is aimed toward deliberately harassing or disturbing somebody in their house. Violators face 60 days in jail and fines of as much as $500.

Protesters can only be arrested after ignoring legislation enforcement’s orders to disperse, however.

The governor mentioned the new law will forestall protests in Florida like those waged by abortion rights protesters in front of U.S. Supreme Court docket justices’ homes in Virginia.

“Sending unruly mobs to personal residences, like we have now seen with the angry crowds in front of the homes of Supreme Court docket justices, is inappropriate,” DeSantis stated in an email to information businesses. “This invoice will provide safety to these residing in residential communities and I am glad to signal it into regulation.”

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

The law is scheduled to take effect Oct. 1.