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

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

The legislation makes it a second-degree misdemeanor to protest in a way that is geared toward deliberately harassing or disturbing somebody of their dwelling. 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 said the new regulation will stop protests in Florida like these waged by abortion rights protesters in entrance of U.S. Supreme Court docket justices’ houses in Virginia.

“Sending unruly mobs to private residences, like we've got seen with the indignant crowds in entrance of the properties of Supreme Court justices, is inappropriate,” DeSantis mentioned in an e mail to news businesses. “This bill 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 individuals’s First Amendment rights to free speech.

The legislation is scheduled to take impact Oct. 1.