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

Authored by apnews.com and submitted by dfssfggg

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

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis answers questions during a press conference at Seminole State College in Sanford, Monday, May 16, 2022. DeSantis is at the school to announce $125 million in funding for nursing education. He said the state will likely take over Disney World's Reedy Creek Improvement District rather than local governments absorbing it after he signed a bill dissolving the longtime special tax district in April. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel via AP)

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

The legislation makes it a second-degree misdemeanor to protest in a manner that is aimed at intentionally harassing or disturbing someone in their home. Violators face 60 days in jail and fines of up to $500.

Protesters can only be arrested after ignoring law enforcement’s orders to disperse, however.

The governor said the new law will prevent protests in Florida like those waged by abortion rights protesters in front of U.S. Supreme Court justices’ homes in Virginia.

“Sending unruly mobs to private residences, like we have seen with the angry crowds in front of the homes of Supreme Court justices, is inappropriate,” DeSantis said in an email to news agencies. “This bill will provide protection to those living in residential communities and I am glad to sign it into law.”

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

The law is scheduled to take effect Oct. 1.

dogsandpeaceohmy on May 17th, 2022 at 02:15 UTC »

That goes against the Supreme Court ruling that protesters can protest outside the homes of abortion clinic workers.

IUsedToBePresident on May 16th, 2022 at 23:10 UTC »

Man the constitutional republicans are going to be outraged over this!

FluorideLover on May 16th, 2022 at 22:43 UTC »

Guess we gotta figure out where politicians go to the doctor and protest there since there’s no such ban for protesting outside women’s clinics.