Nick Shirley Rally at California Capitol Ends With Arrest After Clashes Over Newsom-Signed Law

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — 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.” Gov. Gavin Newsom signed the bill into law on Aug. 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. (RELATED: Nick Shirley to the Daily Signal: Newsom Is ‘Paying for Good Press With Your Tax Dollars’)

“They put some ugly banners up last night and community immediately removed them, because that’s how we do things around here,” NorCal Resist’s caption states. “Support your local antifascists! Stay safe and exercise caution in the downtown region through Wednesday.”

During Wednesday’s event, a handful of protesters gathered across the street from the rally as police held a line between the two groups. Videos obtained by the California Courier showed some of those protesters waving flags associated with the transgender movement, communist imagery, and anti-Trump messaging.

Before the main speakers began, officers who had been blocking protesters from crossing the street shifted their line farther back. That move allowed the protesters to push closer to the rally barriers.

Footage from the California Courier showed tensions rising after that. An altercation broke out between a protester and a rally supporter, and both were detained by officers nearby.

A separate incident later left multiple people pepper-sprayed. Multiple people on the ground claimed a rally supporter sprayed the protesters, which they said led to another detention. Video shows one of the people who was sprayed speaking with officers afterward while trying to clear the chemical from his eyes.

Some claims online alleged the person who sprayed the group was actually another protester. It remains unclear what led to the altercation.

Capitol CHP confirmed to the Daily Signal on Friday that three people at Wednesday’s event were detained and one person was arrested and charged with assault. Officials did not identify who was arrested or which clash produced the charge.

AB 2624 will expand California’s existing “Safe at Home” address-confidentiality program to workers and volunteers at organizations that provide immigration-related services. According to the bill, eligible participants can receive a substitute address for public records. 

The law also makes it illegal to post a participant’s personal information or image online with the intent to threaten them or incite violence. It is scheduled to take effect Oct. 1, 2027. 

Supporters say it is meant to protect immigrant-aid workers from doxxing and harassment. Notably, California Attorney General Rob Bonta’s wife, Democrat California Assemblywoman Mia Bonta is the author of the legislation. 

Critics, including DeMaio and Shirley, argue the language is broad enough to chill citizen journalists and others trying 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.