Add The California Post on Google Youtuber Nick Shirley and California Republicans are threatening legal action after Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) signed a law that critics claim would block people from investigating fraud, potentially violating free speech rights.
At least a hundred people attended a rally Wednesday at the west steps of the state capitol in Sacramento to decry the Republican-nicknamed “Stop Nick Shirley Act,” which takes effect Oct. 1, 2027.
“They’re quite literally openly violating our First Amendment, and they see no problem with it,” Shirley told supporters. “It’s a complete violation of the First Amendment contract.”
Assembly Bill 2624 will outlaw sharing the photo or personal data of an immigrant services provider on the internet for harassment or violent purposes. Under the law, an immigrant services provider could bring a claim in court seeking up to at least $4,000 in damages from those who violate the law.
Brad Dacus, an attorney at the Pacific Justice Institute, said that he and others will sue if the state tries to use the law against Shirley or anyone investigating 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 after reports of increased threats and harassment against 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.
