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

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Anyone who protests in front of a non-public residence in Florida can face jail time and fines underneath a bill Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis signed Monday.

The legislation makes it a second-degree misdemeanor to protest in a fashion that is aimed toward intentionally harassing or disturbing someone 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 mentioned the new regulation will stop protests in Florida like these waged by abortion rights protesters in entrance of U.S. Supreme Court justices’ properties in Virginia.

“Sending unruly mobs to private residences, like we have seen with the indignant crowds in entrance of the properties of Supreme Court justices, is inappropriate,” DeSantis stated in an email to information companies. “This bill will present safety to these residing in residential communities and I'm glad to sign it into law.”

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

The regulation is scheduled to take impact Oct. 1.