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

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

The laws makes it a second-degree misdemeanor to protest in a fashion that's geared toward intentionally harassing or disturbing someone in their residence. 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, nonetheless.

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

“Sending unruly mobs to non-public residences, like we've got seen with the angry crowds in front of the homes of Supreme Courtroom justices, is inappropriate,” DeSantis mentioned in an e-mail to information agencies. “This bill will provide protection to these residing in residential communities and I am glad to signal it into law.”

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

The regulation is scheduled to take impact Oct. 1.