After the leaked document from the Supreme Court showed the Justices potentially overturning Roe v. Wade, protests erupted all over the country as Democrats, liberal activists, and pro abortion supporters poured into the streets, demanding their voices be heard. At the same time, some activists thought it was a great idea to protest right outside of the Justices’ homes. While the Biden administration hasn’t condemned the protests, it appears that Florida Governor Ron DeSantis isn’t sold on the idea as she recently signed legislation that made it a crime to protest outside of any individual’s home. 

Signing Bill 1571 into law, DeSantis released a statement saying, “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. This bill will provide protection to those living in residential communities and I am glad to sign it into law.”

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Taking effect on October 1st, any protesters outside of a home will be asked to disperse by local law enforcement. If the protesters refuse to disperse, officers will have the power to arrest them, which could lead to a second-degree misdemeanor. 

The new law states, “It is unlawful for a person to picket or protest before or about the dwelling of any person with the intent to harass or disturb that person in his or her dwelling.”

As for how law enforcement treats the unlawful protests, it added, “Before a person may be arrested for a violation of this section, a law enforcement officer… or a local, state, federal, or military law enforcement agency must go as near to the person as may be done with safety and shall command any person picketing or protesting before or about the dwelling of a person to immediately and peaceably disperse. If any such person does not thereupon immediately and peaceably disperse, he or she may be arrested for a violation of this section.”

Although the Biden administration appears to be standing by the side of the protesters, it should be noted, under federal law, “interfering with, obstructing, or impeding the administration of justice, or with the intent of influencing any judge, juror, witness, or court officer, in the discharge of his duty, pickets or parades in or near a building housing a court of the United States, or in or near a building or residence occupied or used by such judge, juror, witness, or court officer, or with such intent uses any sound-truck or similar device or resorts to any other demonstration in or near any such building or residence.”

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