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

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Anyone who protests in front 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 way that's geared toward intentionally harassing or disturbing somebody of their home. Violators face 60 days in jail and fines of as much as $500.

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

The governor stated the brand new regulation will stop protests in Florida like these waged by abortion rights protesters in front of U.S. Supreme Court docket justices’ houses in Virginia.

“Sending unruly mobs to private residences, like we now have seen with the offended crowds in entrance of the properties of Supreme Court justices, is inappropriate,” DeSantis stated in an e mail to news businesses. “This bill will present safety to those residing in residential communities and I'm glad to signal it into law.”

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

The regulation is scheduled to take impact Oct. 1.