YouTuber Nick Shirley and California Republicans are warning that a court fight may be next after Gov. Gavin Newsom, a Democrat, signed a measure they argue could chill fraud investigations and infringe on free speech protections.
More than 100 people gathered Wednesday on the west steps of the California State Capitol in Sacramento to protest the measure, which Republicans have dubbed the “Stop Nick Shirley Act.” The law is scheduled to take effect Oct. 1, 2027.
“They’re quite literally openly violating our First Amendment, and they see no problem with it,” Shirley told the crowd. “It’s a complete violation of the First Amendment contract.”
Assembly Bill 2624 makes it illegal to post an immigrant services provider’s photo or personal information online for the purpose of harassment or violence. The law also allows an immigrant services provider to sue alleged violators and seek at least $4,000 in damages.
Brad Dacus, an attorney with the Pacific Justice Institute, said he and other legal advocates are prepared to file suit if California officials attempt to apply the law to Shirley or to anyone looking into alleged fraud.
“We pledge to defend every single one of you, and everyone like Nick, who is challenged in court from zealous prosecutors trying to shut you down,” Dacus said. “They will not get away with it. We will stand behind him without charge.”
Democratic Assemblywoman Mia Bonta introduced the bill in February, citing reports of rising threats and harassment directed at immigration service providers.
“Our immigrant service providers are living in fear because of extremists looking to demonize the work that they do and the populations they serve,” Bonta said recently. “That is an intolerable consequence of the anti-immigrant rhetoric that exists right now.”
But critics have blasted the measure as a way to intimidate people trying to shine light on bad behavior, and questioned whether it was inspired by Shirley — who has confronted service providers about alleged fraud on video.
Assemblymember Carl DeMaio (R) suggested that the law could shield providers like the ones Shirley investigated in Minnesota from scrutiny.
The language of Bonta’s law brings up First Amendment questions, according to Shirley’s supporters.
Republican candidates for office also spoke at the event, pledging to help challenge the law if elected. There were a few counter-protestors who made noise on the periphery of the event.
Bonta has insisted the law does not target journalists.
But at the rally, Shirley and others stirred up skepticism over the fact Bonta is the wife of California Attorney General Rob Bonta, a Democrat who has made tackling fraud a priority for his office.
“Every time I go confront these politicians, they start running. Like it’s the first time they ran in years,” Shirley said to laughter in the audience.
Shirley has taken particular interest in the new law, making repeated stops at Sacramento to question lawmakers about the bill. In his interaction with Assemblymember Bonta, she repeatedly dismissed him for spreading “misinformation.”
Most recently, an incident went viral where a Democratic chief of staff barged into a Shirley interview to hold a flyer claiming Shirley had a small penis, resulting in a verbal spat.
Shirley on Wednesday teased that he would have more to announce about the law.
“Unfortunately for him, he just started this battle that we’re bringing upon him,” Shirley said of Gov. Newsom signing the law.
