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

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

The laws makes it a second-degree misdemeanor to protest in a way that is aimed at intentionally harassing or disturbing someone in their house. 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 stated the new law will stop protests in Florida like these waged by abortion rights protesters in front of U.S. Supreme Courtroom justices’ houses in Virginia.

“Sending unruly mobs to private residences, like we have seen with the angry crowds in entrance of the houses of Supreme Court docket justices, is inappropriate,” DeSantis mentioned in an e mail to news businesses. “This bill will present safety to these residing in residential communities and I'm glad to sign it into regulation.”

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

The regulation is scheduled to take impact Oct. 1.