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Gov. Ron DeSantis vowed to protect Floridians from protestors seeking to gather outside a person’s place of residence after signing HB 1571.
“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.
The governor’s latest move comes in response to abortion activist groups gathering in front of justices’ homes to protest a possible overturning of Roe v. Wade. The groups targeted the homes of Justices Samuel Alito, Brett Kavanaugh, and John Roberts after a leaked draft threatened the livelihood of the 1973 ruling.
However, as lawmakers attempt to increase security measures for the justices, Republicans have waved to the Biden administration to stop the illegal protests outside their homes, as previously reported.
While Attorney General Merrick Garland and the Department of Justice have yet to take action on the protests, the Sunshine State is leading the way in protecting citizens from mobs.
Under the Florida governor’s bill, individuals picketing or protesting “before or about the dwelling of any person with the intent to harass or disturb that person in his or her dwelling” may be arrested and charged.
“This bill will provide protection to those living in residential communities and I am glad to sign it into law,” DeSantis concluded.
The law will take effect on Oct. 1, 2022.