Tempers flared Wednesday after a group of activists marched to the California Capitol to demonstrate against right-wing content creator Nick Shirley, who appeared at a Republican news conference in opposition to a new law that extends an address confidentiality program to immigration service providers.

After marching from Crocker Park in downtown Sacramento, the protest groups engaged in verbal and physical altercations across a barricade formed by law enforcement officers. The Sacramento Police Department reported two assault-related arrests but no serious injuries.

The event centered on Assembly Bill 2624. Signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom on Saturday, the bill will allow immigration service providers to protect themselves from harassment or violence by making their addresses confidential. Opponents have dubbed it the “Stop Nick Shirley Act,” in reference to the influencer whose videos claim to uncover fraud by immigrant-serving organizations.

Counterprotesters carried signs and flags reading “F— Nick Shirley,” “F— Trump,” and “Hate don’t make America great.” They chanted “Racists go home” and “Immigrants are welcome here.” Some wore face coverings and some carried riot shields.

“I came here today to show that we are not going to allow fascists and white supremacists to come into our city unchecked,” counterprotester Alyssa Gatti said. “I think that Nick Shirley is here because he wants to continue doxxing people and putting their lives in danger, and any opposition to the (Stop) Nick Shirley Act is likely in favor of white supremacy.”

Gatti and others expressed support of AB 2624, saying opponents have mischaracterized its intent.

“It protects people who are providing services to immigrants and prevents them — their lives and their livelihoods and their families — from being threatened,” counterprotester Jennifer Wood said of the bill. “It has nothing to do with so-called citizen journalism that these people are trying to say it (does).”

Wood also expressed disbelief at Republican gubernatorial candidate Steve Hilton’s participation in the conference, calling it “the perfect disqualifying act” to prove he is not a “legitimate candidate.”

The clash between protest groups was not limited to Nick Shirley and AB 2624. Participants also exchanged heated words over issues related to the Trump administration, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Palestine.

During one of several scuffles, a 69-year-old bystander fell to the ground near a booth selling Republican merchandise, causing scrapes along her thigh, knee and forearm. The woman, who requested anonymity due to fear of retaliation, and witnesses said she was pushed.

“It was scary because what if I’d hit my head? I’m a senior citizen … and this is just uncalled for. I’m not part of this,” the bystander said. “This should be a peaceful protest, and people, innocent people, bystanders should not be violently attacked.”

Olivia Park, of Sacramento, joins a goup of protesters to demonstrate against online political influencer Nick Shirley's appearance at a Republican news conference at the state Capitol on Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2026. Olivia Park, of Sacramento, joins a goup of protesters to demonstrate against online political influencer Nick Shirley’s appearance at a Republican news conference at the state Capitol on Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2026. HECTOR AMEZCUA hamezcua@sacbee.com Fans of influencer Nick Shirley cheer during a news conference in opposition to Assembly Bill 2624, also known as "the Stop Nick Shirley Act," at the California Capitol in Sacramento on Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2026. The bill extends an address confidentiality program to immigration service providers. Fans of influencer Nick Shirley cheer during a news conference in opposition to Assembly Bill 2624, also known as “the Stop Nick Shirley Act,” at the California Capitol in Sacramento on Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2026. The bill extends an address confidentiality program to immigration service providers. HANNAH RUHOFF hruhoff@sacbee.com A Sacramento police bike officer struggles with a flag on 10th Street as protesters demonstrate against online political influencer Nick Shirley's appearance at a Republican news conference at the state Capitol on Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2026. A Sacramento police bike officer struggles with a flag on 10th Street as protesters demonstrate against online political influencer Nick Shirley’s appearance at a Republican news conference at the state Capitol on Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2026. HECTOR AMEZCUA hamezcua@sacbee.com State Sen. Tony Strickland, R-Huntington Beach, introduces influencer Nick Shirley, left, during a rally in opposition to Assembly Bill 2624, also known as the Stop Nick Shirley Act, at the California Capitol in Sacramento on Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2026. The bill extends an address confidentiality program to immigration service providers. State Sen. Tony Strickland, R-Huntington Beach, introduces influencer Nick Shirley, left, during a rally in opposition to Assembly Bill 2624, also known as the Stop Nick Shirley Act, at the California Capitol in Sacramento on Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2026. The bill extends an address confidentiality program to immigration service providers. HANNAH RUHOFF hruhoff@sacbee.com A group gathers near the state Capitol to demonstrate against online political influencer Nick Shirley's appearance at a Republican news conference on Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2026. A group gathers near the state Capitol to demonstrate against online political influencer Nick Shirley’s appearance at a Republican news conference on Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2026. HECTOR AMEZCUA hamezcua@sacbee.com A man is detained by California Highway Patrol officers after a struggle over a flag during online political influencer Nick Shirley's appearance at a Republican news conference at the state Capitol on Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2026. A man is detained by California Highway Patrol officers after a struggle over a flag during online political influencer Nick Shirley’s appearance at a Republican news conference at the state Capitol on Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2026. HECTOR AMEZCUA hamezcua@sacbee.com Protesters demonstrate against online political influencer Nick Shirley's appearance at a Republican news conference at the state Capitol on Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2026. Protesters demonstrate against online political influencer Nick Shirley’s appearance at a Republican news conference at the state Capitol on Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2026. HECTOR AMEZCUA hamezcua@sacbee.com A man who was involved in a scuffle over a flag is detained by the California Highway Patrol during Nick Shirley's appearance at a Republican news conference at the state Capitol on Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2026. A man who was involved in a scuffle over a flag is detained by the California Highway Patrol during Nick Shirley’s appearance at a Republican news conference at the state Capitol on Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2026. HECTOR AMEZCUA hamezcua@sacbee.com Nick Shirley fans cheer during a rally in opposition to Assembly Bill 2624, also known as the Stop Nick Shirley Act, at the California Capitol in Sacramento on Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2026. Nick Shirley fans cheer during a rally in opposition to Assembly Bill 2624, also known as the Stop Nick Shirley Act, at the California Capitol in Sacramento on Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2026. HANNAH RUHOFF hruhoff@sacbee.com A protester is detained by California Highway Patrol officers after he was involved in an altercation over a flag during online political influencer Nick Shirley's appearance at a Republican news conference at the state Capitol on Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2026. A protester is detained by California Highway Patrol officers after he was involved in an altercation over a flag during online political influencer Nick Shirley’s appearance at a Republican news conference at the state Capitol on Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2026. HECTOR AMEZCUA hamezcua@sacbee.com Conservative political influencer Nick Shirley speaks during a news conference in opposition to Assembly Bill 2624, which opponents call the "Stop Nick Shirley Act," at the California Capitol in Sacramento on Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2026. The bill extends an address confidentiality program to immigration service providers. Conservative political influencer Nick Shirley speaks during a news conference in opposition to Assembly Bill 2624, which opponents call the “Stop Nick Shirley Act,” at the California Capitol in Sacramento on Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2026. The bill extends an address confidentiality program to immigration service providers. HANNAH RUHOFF hruhoff@sacbee.com A Sacramento police officer stands in front of a group of protesters demonstrating against online political influencer Nick Shirley's appearance at a Republican news conference at the state Capitol on Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2026. A Sacramento police officer stands in front of a group of protesters demonstrating against online political influencer Nick Shirley’s appearance at a Republican news conference at the state Capitol on Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2026. HECTOR AMEZCUA hamezcua@sacbee.com Sacramento police officers hold a line near the west steps of the state Capitol during a rally featuring conservative influencer Nick Shirley on Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2026. Sacramento police officers hold a line near the west steps of the state Capitol during a rally featuring conservative influencer Nick Shirley on Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2026. HECTOR AMEZCUA hamezcua@sacbee.com A Sacramento police officer pushes down a megaphone held by a protester demonstrating against online political influencer Nick Shirley's appearance at a Republican news conference at the state Capitol on Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2026. A Sacramento police officer pushes down a megaphone held by a protester demonstrating against online political influencer Nick Shirley’s appearance at a Republican news conference at the state Capitol on Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2026. HECTOR AMEZCUA hamezcua@sacbee.com Influencer Nick Shirley takes selfies with fans during a rally in opposition to Assembly Bill 2624, also known as the “Stop Nick Shirley Act," at the California Capitol in Sacramento on Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2026. The bill extends an address confidentiality program to immigration service providers. Influencer Nick Shirley takes selfies with fans during a rally in opposition to Assembly Bill 2624, also known as the “Stop Nick Shirley Act,” at the California Capitol in Sacramento on Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2026. The bill extends an address confidentiality program to immigration service providers. HANNAH RUHOFF hruhoff@sacbee.com A man is arrested by Sacramento police officers after he allegedly pepper-sprayed people protesting against conservative influencer Nick Shirley’s appearance at the state Capitol on Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2026. A man is arrested by Sacramento police officers after he allegedly pepper-sprayed people protesting against conservative influencer Nick Shirley’s appearance at the state Capitol on Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2026. HECTOR AMEZCUA hamezcua@sacbee.com Nick Shirley fans cheer during a rally in opposition to Assembly Bill 2624, also known as the Stop Nick Shirley Act, at the California Capitol in Sacramento on Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2026. Nick Shirley fans cheer during a rally in opposition to Assembly Bill 2624, also known as the Stop Nick Shirley Act, at the California Capitol in Sacramento on Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2026. HANNAH RUHOFF hruhoff@sacbee.com David Sypnieski, of Sacramento, is assisted after he was pepper-sprayed as he stood with a group protesting against conservative influencer Nick Shirley’s appearance at the state Capitol on Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2026. David Sypnieski, of Sacramento, is assisted after he was pepper-sprayed as he stood with a group protesting against conservative influencer Nick Shirley’s appearance at the state Capitol on Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2026. HECTOR AMEZCUA hamezcua@sacbee.com A man is confronted as supporters and protesters face off during online political influencer Nick Shirley's appearance at a Republican news conference at the state Capitol on Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2026. A man is confronted as supporters and protesters face off during online political influencer Nick Shirley’s appearance at a Republican news conference at the state Capitol on Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2026. HECTOR AMEZCUA hamezcua@sacbee.com

This story was originally published August 26, 2026 at 5:06 PM.

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