Skip to main content

LIVE TV

© 2026 WGCU News

News for all of Southwest Florida

LIVE TV

Donate

Play Live Radio

Next Up:

0:00

0:00

0:00 0:00

Available On Air Stations

DeSantis signs a bill that bans protests in front of homes

WUSF | By Associated Press

Published May 17, 2022 at 8:04 AM EDT

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis answers questions related to school openings and the wearing of masks in Surfside on Aug. 10, 2021.

People who protest in front of private residences in Florida can face jail time and fines under a bill signed by Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis.

DeSantis signed the measure Monday. He said it would prevent protests in Florida like those waged by abortion rights protesters in front of U.S. Supreme Court justices' homes in Virginia.

The new law will make it a second-degree misdemeanor to protest in a manner that is meant to intentionally harass or disturb someone in their home.

Violators face 60 days in jail and fines up to $500. But protesters may only be arrested after ignoring law enforcement’s orders to disperse.

The new law will take effect Oct. 1.

Copyright 2022 WUSF Public Media - WUSF 89.7. To see more, visit WUSF Public Media - WUSF 89.7.

Tags

Associated Press

The Associated Press is one of the largest and most trusted sources of independent newsgathering, supplying a steady stream of news to its members, international subscribers and commercial customers. AP is neither privately owned nor government-funded; instead, it's a not-for-profit news cooperative owned by its American newspaper and broadcast members.

See stories by Associated Press

More from WGCU

Arts & Culture

Construction progresses on Florida Studio Theatre's new McGillicuddy Plaza

Tom Hall

Rebar reaches skyward atop 10 stout concrete columns while backhoes and front-end loaders scrape the ground that was previously the Gompertz Theatre parking lot. Construction is well under way on the eight-story arts complex named for Florida Studio Theatre benefactors Dennis and Graci McGillicuddy. Managing Director Rebecca Hopkins says that $57 million project will be completed in stages.
Arts & Culture

Eleven Lee County high schools participating in this year's High School Musical Theater Awards at BB Mann

Tom Hall

The High School Musical Theatre Awards take place at 7 p.m. on Friday, May 8 at the Barbara B Mann Performing Art Hall at FSW. Patterned after the Tony Awards, the evening features performances by each participating school, along with awards in a number of categories, including Best Overall Production, Best Ensemble and Best Actor and Supporting Actor in both Male-Identifying and Female-Identifying roles.
Environment

Most sunscreens harm corals. Here's what you can do

Marc Garber

Despite covering just 0.1 percent of Earth's oceans, coral reefs support about a quarter of all marine species.Already under mounting pressure from warming waters, ocean acidification, pollution, overfishing, and coastal development, reefs face an additional threat from an unexpected source.