AB 2624 Sacramento Rally Speakers Focus On Free Speech:
Support Nick Shirley And Citizen Journalists
By Mike Hernandez
(Editor’s Note: To watch uploaded videos from Wednesday’s free speech rally go to: https://redstate.com/jenniferoo/2026/08/26/the-stop-nick-shirley-act-protest-at-the-sacramento-capitol-brings-out-the-usual-chaos-actors-n2206108. Videos are uploaded by citizen journalist Amy Reichert and Katy Grimes, editor and chief of the California Globe To view the California Globe story and photos by Katy Grimes go to: https://californiaglobe.com/fl/stop-nick-shirley-act-rally-at-the-california-state-capitol-sends-message-to-capitol-democrats/).
SACRAMENTO–The Stop Nick Shirley Act event at the State Capitol on Wednesday, Aug. 26 became a battle between two opposing sides: protestors advocating for nonprofits granting immigrant rights and free speech supporters advocating for fraud citizen journalism investigations.
Nick Shirley: “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.”
California Post Photo By Nathan Weyland
Citizen journalist Nick Shirley spoke at the rally (see CaliRed News story on “Media Coverage of AB 2624”: https://calirednews.com/media-coverage-of-ab-2624-stop-nick-shirley-act-sacramento-rally/ that also featured Republican legislators/candidates running for office and pastors:
- California State Senator Tony Strickland, R-36, coastal Orange County: “I’m a friend of Nick Shirley and his investigative journalism. We need Nick Shirleys’ more than ever. “
California Post Photo By Katy Grimes
- Attorney General candidate Michael Gates (Huntington Beach city attorney): “I am proud to stand with Nick Shirley. We owe Nick a thank you. Our Attorney General (Rob Bonta) has done nothing about (waste). Our government belongs to the people not to our leaders. When I am Attorney General, California will comply with all federal laws. Law and order will return to California.”
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Photo By Mike Hernandez
- Supt. of Instruction candidate Sonja Shaw (President of Chino Valley Unified Board): “We will overturn the Stop Nick Shirley Act in the courts. We have a moral obligation to get involved as parents. It is time to wake up and do something. We will not back down.”
- Jenny Rae La Roux, GOP candidate, Congressional District 47, Orange County and CA Executive Director of DOGE: “Gavin Newsom has made it a crime to report a crime. California Democrats are focused on stopping fraud investigations. Why? Independent investigators like the amazing Nick Shirley and my team at DOGE will look into fraud. We Californians have the right to know what the government is doing with our tax money? Nick Shirley, we thank you. We need hundreds of Nick Shirleys’ on the street.”
- Adam Vena, GOP candidate, Assembly District 41, San Gabriel Valley: “We need new leadership in Sacramento. We need a change in the State Assembly and the State Senate.”
- Bishop Art Hodges, GOP candidate for CA-Senate District 18 (San Diego, Imperial, Riverside, San Bernardino Counties): A Prayer for California–”The light will always prevail. Light has come into the world. When our houses of worship were closed during COVID, we fought and our case went to the U.S. Supreme Court. Lord, you are the name above all other names, Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen and Amen.”
Photo By Mike Hernandez
- Greg Burt, California Family Council Vice President: “Do you know who your legislator is? Give them a phone call. Let your legislator know that you want this law repealed. Develop a relationship and be relentless.”
- Chino Hills Calvary Chapel Pastor Jack Hibbs: “Where is all the press? Where are they? There is no time for us to be spectators. We (have) a battle. This state is great. Let’s shock America.”
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Who Sponsored AB 2624?
NGO Tied To LA Anti-ICE Riots & Rapid Response Networks Sponsored CA Bill Known As Stop Nick Shirley Act
By Jennifer Van Laar / Red State Managing Editor (April 21, 2026)
Authored by Asm. Mia Bonta, the wife of California’s Attorney General Rob Bonta, the bill is sponsored by none other than the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles (CHIRLA), the group RedState outed in June 2025 as providing significant support for that month’s anti-ICE riots.
In addition to their Marxist indoctrination groups and “fighting for immigrants’ rights,” CHIRLA spearheads anti-ICE Rapid Response Networks throughout California. As part of that network, participants post photos of ICE agents, the vehicles being used, and real-time locations of ICE raids/immigration enforcement efforts. This network is responsible for the violent response to an ICE raid at Glass House Farms in Camarillo, CA, last July.
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A Review of AB 2624 (Signed By Gov. Gavin Newsom, Aug. 22, 2026)
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What Will AB 2624 Do?
“Amendment to AB2624 is co-authored by crime-loving Mia Bonta; it extends privacy protections to immigrant service providers, (similar what was for reproductive and gender‑affirming health‑care workers). It is a threat to transparency and investigative reporting because it is vague enough to…
+ Allow removal of video recordings, even if filmed in public
+ Impose financial fees on journalists or watchdogs who publish such recordings
+ Create a chilling effect on citizen journalism”
“California is trying to pass (it was signed into law by Gov. Gavin Newsom on Aug. 22) a bill that would criminalize investigative journalism with misdemeanors, $10,000 fines, imprisonment, and content takedown. The proposed (now signed) bill is titled AB 2624 and was made after I exposed mass fraud by immigrant groups in America. Under AB 2624, government-funded entities like the Somali “Learing” Daycare centers would be protected from being exposed if they operated inside California. The enemy truly is within. When our politicians would rather protect fraudsters and illegal migrants, it’s time for us to stand up or face mass oppression from the traitors who “rule” over us.”
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More About Nick Shirley
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AB 2624 Booths
- FireGavin.com (Quoting Proverbs 29:2): “When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; But when a wicked man rules, the people groan.” (NKJV)
- Sacramento’s Independent Journalist Jack Nordby: 916-292-6310 “Exposing the Fake News and Fraud & Corruption in Sacramento for 35 years.”
- Eagle Forum California: CEO Orlean Koehle (Santa Rosa): [email protected]. “EFCA 28th Constitutional Day Celebration: Sept. 12 (9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Berger Community Center).
- Turning Point USA Communities: Nationwide network of city-based chapters strengthening communities, defending American values. Contact: Pierre Wilson.
- Steve Hilton candidate for Governor booth.
- Michael Gates candidate for Attorney General booth.
- Sonja Shaw candidate for State Superintendent of Instruction booth.
- California Republican Assembly booth with President Carl Brickey. Contact: [email protected].
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(Editor’s Note: CaliRedNews.com is an online news platform focused on Making California Red by the 2028 elections through reaching Gen Z (ages 13-28), Hispanics, and Christians with biblical traditional values. CaliRed News reports on political, church, and education news. Free subscriptions are available at https://substack.com/@calirednews or CaliRedNews.com.
Mike Hernandez, is co-founder of the Citizens Journal–Ventura County’s online news service. He is a former Southern California daily newspaper journalist and religion and news editor, writer of “CaliRed News” on Substack.com and “Prayer Over News Daily” and other columns. Mr. Hernandez mentors citizen journalists and is author of “Citizen Journalism: How to Report, Write, and Publish Local News Like a Pro—Finding Your Voice, Reporting the Truth, and Building a News Source for Your Community” and can be contacted at MikeHernandezMedia.com dedicated to advancing truth, service, and hope through Mission News Service. He is also founder/publisher/editor of https://calirednews.com/.)