By Bo Tefu, California Black Media
Assemblymember Mike Gipson Holds “Rallying for Justice” Event Challenging ICE for Shootings
Assemblymember Mike A. Gipson (D-Carson) on Jan. 21 led a “Rallying for Justice” demonstration in Sacramento challenging federal immigration enforcement over deadly shootings tied to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Gipson, a member of the California Legislative Black Caucus, and other speakers called for more accountability and stronger legislative action.
Gipson’s event at the State Capitol brought together lawmakers, community leaders, and activists to protest what they describe as excessive use of force by ICE and other Homeland Security agencies. The rally highlighted two recent fatal incidents involving immigration agents that have drawn national attention and sparked public outcry.
One case involved 37-year-old Renee Nicole Good, a Minneapolis woman shot and killed by an ICE agent on Jan. 7 during a federal operation in Minnesota. Video reviewed by news outlets shows the ICE officer firing multiple shots at Good’s vehicle as she attempted to leave the scene amid a heightened federal presence. Local leaders and civil rights advocates have disputed the federal claim that the agent acted in self-defense, and the shooting has prompted public protests and legal scrutiny. A federal judge in Minnesota recently issued limits on use-of-force tactics by immigration agents toward nonviolent demonstrators, a decision linked to the fallout from Good’s death.
Another focus of the rally was the death of Keith Porter Jr., 43, who was fatally shot by an off-duty ICE agent in Northridge, Los Angeles, on New Year’s Eve. Local advocates have urged the Los Angeles Police Department to fully investigate the circumstances of the shooting and pursue charges, saying the family deserves transparency and accountability.
“We are demanding that federal agencies be held to the same standards of justice as every other law enforcement body in this country,” said Gipson at the rally. “Communities deserve safety and accountability, not fear and force.” Leaders from both legislative houses’ diversity caucuses joined Gipson, underscoring the shared concern over the incidents.
As the rally unfolded, reports emerged of a Customs and Border Protection operation in the Willowbrook neighborhood that involved officer-involved gunfire, causing disruption in the community. Gipson condemned the tactics, saying federal enforcement actions have put everyday residents at risk.
The event concluded with a march from the State Capitol to the John E. Moss Federal Building in Sacramento with participants calling for state and federal reforms to immigration policy and enforcement practices. They also urged broader public engagement on the use of lethal force by federal officers.
“We are witnessing a mass movement by ordinary people of conscience who say ‘No’ to the abuses of ICE,” said Gipson “Everywhere from Minnesota to my own Assembly District, I condemn this Administration’s callous disregard for human suffering – and I am outraged to read in the news of two dozen people shot by ICE since Donald Trump’s new term began.”
World Economic Forum: Newsom Announces California’s Progress on Clean Car Goals; Calls Out White House for Political Snub
Last week, Gov. Gavin Newsom used his appearance at the World Economic Forum to draw a sharp contrast between California’s clean transportation progress and recent federal policy reversals under President Donald Trump, announcing that the state has surpassed 2.5 million cumulative zero-emission vehicle sales, well beyond its original 2025 target.
Speaking to global investors and policymakers, Newsom framed California as a stable and reliable market at a time of what he described as federal “chaos,” arguing that long-term climate policy has delivered measurable economic and environmental results. California’s initial goal was to reach 1.5 million ZEVs on the road by 2025.
During the fourth quarter of 2025, Californians purchased 79,066 new zero-emission vehicles, accounting for 18.9% of all new car sales in the state, according to Newsom’s office. That quarter pushed California past the 2.5 million milestone, reinforcing its position as the nation’s leading clean vehicle market and a central player in the global clean transportation economy.
“California didn’t reach 2.5 million zero-emission vehicles by accident,” said Newsom, citing decades of consistent state investment and policy certainty. He criticized the Trump administration for rolling back federal incentives and infrastructure funding, warning that those actions risk surrendering the global clean vehicle market to international competitors.
Despite the expiration of federal EV tax credits on Sept. 30, 2025, California’s ZEV market proved more resilient than the national average. Nationwide, EV sales dropped sharply in the fourth quarter, while California maintained strong adoption, supported by a mature charging network and a growing range of vehicle options. State officials said 149 ZEV models were available to California consumers in late 2025.
California Energy Commissioner Nancy Skinner said no other state has matched California’s ZEV growth over the past five years, crediting sustained public investment and strong consumer demand. State regulators also pointed to continued infrastructure expansion as a key factor in maintaining momentum.
Looking ahead, Newsom has proposed a $200 million state incentive program to accelerate ZEV adoption and respond to the loss of federal tax credits. California is also expanding charging access, with more than 200,000 public and shared chargers statewide, in addition to an estimated 800,000 chargers installed in homes.
Newsom linked the clean car milestone to broader climate gains, noting that California’s greenhouse gas emissions are down 21% since 2000, even as the state’s economy has grown 81%. At the forum, he argued that California’s experience shows climate action and economic growth can advance together, even amid national political division.
While in Davos, Newsom said he was denied entry to the USA House event after being invited to speak, accusing the Trump administration of pressuring organizers to block him; he wrote on X.
“California was just denied at the USA House. Last we checked, California is part of USA,” he posted, calling the decision a political slight.
California Republicans Asks Supreme Court to Block Prop 50 Temporary Redistricted Maps
The California Republican Party has asked the U.S. Supreme Court to block temporary congressional maps adopted under Proposition 50, escalating a legal fight over redistricting that could affect control of the U.S. House of Representatives ahead of the 2026 elections.
In an emergency filing on Jan. 20, the party asked Justice Elena Kagan to issue an injunction before Feb. 9, the start of California’s candidate filing period for the June 2026 primary. Kagan oversees emergency matters from the Ninth Circuit. Republicans argue the temporary maps violate federal law and should not be used while litigation continues.
Voters approved Prop 50 in November, authorizing lawmakers to adopt temporary congressional boundaries as a response to a Republican-led redistricting effort in Texas that could flip several Democratic-held seats. California Democrats moved quickly after the Texas action, saying the measure was needed to protect the state’s representation in Congress.
Republicans contend the California plan unlawfully relied on race in drawing district lines, claiming it favored Latino voters in violation of the U.S. Constitution and the federal Voting Rights Act. The California Republican Party and other plaintiffs, joined by the Trump administration, previously sued to block the maps in federal court.
A three-judge federal panel in Los Angeles rejected that request on Jan. 14. In a 2-1 ruling, the court said evidence that race drove the redistricting was “exceptionally weak,” while evidence of partisan motivation was “overwhelming.” The panel declined to issue preliminary relief, allowing the maps to move forward.
“California cannot create districts by race, and the state should not be allowed to lock in districts that break federal law,” said Corrin Rankin, chair of the California Republican Party, in a statement accompanying the Supreme Court filing. The party argues that using the maps during the upcoming election cycle would unfairly disadvantage Republican candidates and voters.
The legal challenge comes as Republicans hold narrow majorities in both chambers of Congress. Analysts say a shift of a few House seats in California could play a decisive role in determining control of the chamber after the November 2026 elections. A Democratic takeover could threaten President Donald Trump’s legislative agenda and expand congressional oversight of the administration.
The emergency application was filed by the Dhillon Law Group, a California-based firm founded by Harmeet Dhillon, now the U.S. assistant attorney general for the Civil Rights Division and a former vice chair of the California Republican Party.
PPIC Report: California Growth Rate Slows; State Still Has No Single Majority Group
California’s population growth has slowed to historic lows, but the state remains one of the most diverse in the nation, with no single racial or ethnic group making up a majority, according to a new report from the Public Policy Institute of California.
“No single racial or ethnic group makes up more than half of California’s residents, reflecting the state’s broad diversity and ongoing demographic change,” the PPIC report states.
As of July 2025, California’s population totaled 39.5 million, keeping it the most populous state in the country by a wide margin. The California Department of Finance projects the population will rise modestly to 39.7 million by 2030 and 40.5 million by 2040, marking a sharp contrast with the rapid expansion that defined much of the 20th century.
The report shows California has experienced its slowest sustained growth rates on record since 2000. Between 2010 and 2020, the state’s population increased by 5.8%, below the national growth rate of 6.8%. That slowdown resulted in California losing a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives for the first time in state history.
The COVID-19 pandemic further disrupted population trends. Between July 2020 and July 2022, California lost 322,000 residents, driven primarily by a surge in people moving to other states. Lower birth rates, higher death rates during the height of the pandemic, and a steep decline in international migration also contributed to the losses.
Since mid-2022, the state has shown signs of recovery. From July 2022 to July 2025, California added 309,000 residents, a growth rate of 0.8%. The rebound has been fueled largely by international migration, which rose to 718,000 net arrivals during that period. Domestic outmigration remains significant, with nearly 1.3 million net losses to other states since 2020.
Population change has varied widely by region. Twenty-one of California’s 58 counties have gained residents since the 2020 census. Riverside County recorded the largest increase, while Los Angeles County experienced the largest population decline. Placer, Madera, and Yuba counties posted the fastest growth rates, while Lassen County saw the steepest drop.
Despite slower growth, California’s demographic profile remains distinctive. Latinos make up 41% of the population, followed by White residents at 34%, Asian American and Pacific Islander residents at 17%, and Black residents at 5%. The report notes that more than half of Californians age 24 and younger are Latino, while a majority of residents 65 and older are White.
PPIC researchers warn that continued sluggish growth could reshape political representation, with California potentially losing up to four congressional seats in the 2030 reapportionment if current trends continue.