‘Stop Nick Shirley Act’ sparks dueling narratives about free speech and safety

Gov. Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill 2624, officially titled the “Safe at Work Act,” but which opponents have dubbed the “Stop Nick Shirley Act.” Signed on August 22, the law takes effect Oct. 1, 2027.

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First introduced by Assemblymember Mia Bonta, D-Oakland, in February 2026, the bill is an extension of California’s Safe at Home confidentiality program, which protects workers and volunteers who face threats. It restricts the online posting of their personal information when done with intent to incite imminent violence or place them in reasonable fear for their safety.

According to the bill, it would “prohibit a person from posting on the internet the personal information or image of a designated immigration support services provider, employee, or volunteer,” among other things.

The new law has drawn criticism from those who believe it inhibits free speech, freedom of the press and will protect those who are defrauding the government.

The case for protection

Newsom’s press office spoke out on the controversy, saying on the social media platform X, “All this bill does is protect immigration workers from doxxing and threats. That’s it.”

Bonta posted a statement: “We are rejecting the idea that policy in this state gets written by hate and driven by clicks. We are telling every legal aid attorney, every case manager, every volunteer doing this work: you will not be intimidated out of serving your community, and neither will we.”

State Sen. Jesse Arreguín backed Bonta and announced his support for AB 2624. He thanked Bonta “who under threats and harassment, has maintained the courage to protect service providers helping our most vulnerable Californians who are under attack by the federal administration’s cruel immigration policies,” he wrote on X.

The case for transparency

Critics of the bill pointed to its timing. In late 2025 and early 2026, conservative YouTuber Nick Shirley went viral for posting videos exposing Somali daycare centers in Minnesota and San Diego. By February 2026, the bill had been introduced.

Shirley himself spoke out on X. He said he “wanted to say thank you to the thousands of people who came out, showed up, kept the peace and took a stand against California’s new law,” after the Sacramento Capitol rally on August 26.

About 500 Shirley supporters rallied on the steps of California State Capitol to show their opposition to the new law.

Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, posted on X, “Perhaps we need a ‘Stop Gavin Newsom Act.’” Shirley replied, “true.”

Rep. Rich McCormick, R-Ga., said that it should not be a crime to investigate fraud. “Government should fear fraud, not the people with cameras exposing it. Free speech doesn’t disappear when the truth becomes inconvenient,” he wrote on X.