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

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Anyone 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 laws makes it a second-degree misdemeanor to protest in a fashion that's aimed at intentionally harassing or disturbing somebody in their house. Violators face 60 days in jail and fines of as much as $500.

Protesters can solely be arrested after ignoring legislation enforcement’s orders to disperse, nonetheless.

The governor said the brand new regulation will forestall protests in Florida like those waged by abortion rights protesters in front of U.S. Supreme Court docket justices’ properties in Virginia.

“Sending unruly mobs to personal residences, like we now have seen with the angry crowds in entrance of the homes of Supreme Court docket justices, is inappropriate,” DeSantis said in an electronic mail to information companies. “This invoice will provide safety to those residing in residential communities and I am glad to signal it into legislation.”

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

The legislation is scheduled to take impact Oct. 1.