‘Stop Nick Shirley Act’ Rally at the California State Capitol Sends Message to Capitol Democrats

Wednesday, the Stop Nick Shirley Act rally at the California State Capitol was huge, and well attended. Senator Tony Strickland lead the press conference, and walked the crowd through the unconstitutional anti-transparency law that will have major implications for free speech, government accountability, and transparency. Accountability and transparency are essential to good government, and this law moves the state in the opposite direction, Strickland said. Strickland noted that instead of sending a thank-you note to Nick Shirley for exposing fraud inside immigrant communities in hospices in California, Governor Newsom, Attorney General Rob Bonta, Assemblywoman Mia Bonta, and elected Democrats went after him with AB 2624, the Stop Nick Shirley Act, to penalize him, fine him, and any journalist who uncover state government fraud.

As Sen. Strickland notes, Nick Shirley uncovered the fraud, but the Attorney General is not investigating it or prosecuting it.

“You’re not going to silence us. We will continue to fight” was the message throughout the rally and press conference.

Nick Shirley got to the heart of the matter immediately when he spoke – unconstitutional restriction of free speech, and freedom of the press. He covered the “Stop Nick Shirley Act,” AB 2624, now law in California. He said the bill was created by the California Attorney General’s wife Mia Bonta after he exposed widespread fraud inside immigrant communities in America. Now they want to penalize journalists and citizens for looking into potential fraud inside of “immigration support service providers, Shirley added.

Nick was accessible to the crowd, who showed their love for him the entire rally.

The crowd loves Nick Shirley https://t.co/D1bOlBFfaH

— Amy Reichert (@amyforsandiego) August 26, 2026

Before the rally started, the Globe was told that two of the listed guest speakers – Republicans Assembly Minority Leader Alexandra Macedo and Assemblyman David Tangipa – were under lockdown in the Assembly Chambers during session by the Assembly Speaker, and not allowed to leave. So much for elected representatives representing their people at a rally.

Nick Shirley rally was a rousing success. The Globe had a front row seat pic.twitter.com/uP8RpbByPX

— Katy Grimes (@KATYSaccitizen) August 26, 2026

Antifa made an appearance as the anti-patriots – loud and obnoxious, offensive and not interested in bipartisan dialogue – which made it necessary for the Capitol police to bring in reinforcements. The police presence was impressive and welcome.

Ben Bergquam with Real America’s Voice got some of the best footage:

CHAOS ERUPTS AT THE CALIFORNIA STATE CAPITOL

Wild footage shows scuffles and heated confrontations breaking out as protesters descend on the “Stop Nick Shirley” rally in Sacramento.

RAV’s @BenBergquam is LIVE on the ground as tensions boil over.

WATCH LIVE NOW ON YOUTUBE. 🔥… pic.twitter.com/i6HvAIHB1m

— Real America's Voice (RAV) (@RealAmVoice) August 26, 2026

The group of overweight, pasty Antifa outcasts made most people laugh at them – especially at their signs, one of which called rally attendees “KKK.”

So original.

Fortunately for the rally attendees, the messages from speakers were positive, and encouraging. And several said it was up to the crowd to fight back against the unconstitutional bill by fighting for constitutional rights, and voting.

Candidate for Attorney General Michael Gates questioned what Rob Bonta even does since he does not prosecute fraud. He promised rally goers he would, as well as doing the actual job of the Attorney General.

Congressional Candidate Jenny Rae LaRou (CA-47), business owner and entrepreneur, currently serves as executive director of CAL DOGE, the state-level effort modeled on efficiency and waste-reduction initiatives by the federal DOGE team. She has focused on rooting out government waste, fraud, and abuse in California, and said at the rally her first call was to Nick Shirley when she first started.

She assured everyone she would continue to root out fraud, asking “when in history have the good guys ever censored anyone?”

Pastor Jack Hibbs encouraged everyone to get involved, and recruit friends and family, if California is to be saved.

Sonja Shaw, candidate for California Superintendent of Public Instruction, featured prominently, as well. Shaw is the Chino Valley Unified School District board president, and emphasizes parental rights, academics, specifically noting low proficiency rates in reading and math, opposition to certain gender-related school policies, and reducing what she describes as political ideology in classrooms.

The Antifa thugs did not disperse, and during speeches, increased their noise level, horn blowing, chanting, blaring loud speakers.

That’s the best they had.

Here are a few of the deadbeats up close…

the swim mask is innovative:

I don’t know what this is.

Her parents must be so proud.

Ew. Creepy guy.

Socks on the arms is a new one.

And these lovelies were dressed as Trump supporters. Amy Reichert filmed them:

ANTIFA dressed as Trump supporters showed up at the Nick Shirley rally at the Capitol today.

They tried to block me from reporting, then tried to grab my phone. I wasn’t having any of it. pic.twitter.com/Szgf3nBk39

— Amy Reichert (@amyforsandiego) August 26, 2026

Nick Shirley posted this little “Fun fact, Newsom has directed over $300 million to nonprofits while governor and AG Rob Bonta when he was an assemblyman directed over $500,000 to nonprofits associated with his wife.”

It sounds like there is plenty to continue investigating – for Nick Shirley, and hopefully for more of California’s journalists.

But don’t hold your breath on the Capitol crowd.

After I posted “Nick Shirley rally was a rousing success” to X with photos, Ian Calderon, former Democrat Assemblyman posted this in response. Aaron Parnas posted the photo at 11:43 when the event was being set up. Nice try guys.

Here is my photo of the crowd behind me:

For details of the Stop Nick Shirley Act bill, Assembly Bill 2624, be sure to read our report:

Gov. Newsom Wails About Assaults on the Free Press, then Signs ‘Stop Nick Shirley Act’ into Law

‘California Passes a law making it a crime to report a crime’