Image by Susana Cipriano from Pixabay

AB 1836 Would Protect Community Events Facing Hate-Motivated Violence

August 31, 2026 - SACRAMENTO, CA — Last week, the California State Legislature passed Assembly Bill (AB) 1836, legislation that would better protect communities facing hate-motivated violence. Authored by Assemblymembers Jesse Gabriel (D-Encino) and Chris Ward (D-San Diego), AB 1836 would expand the California State Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP) so nonprofits can use grant funding to secure the events that bring people out into the community, including Pride parades, cultural festivals, public celebrations, and more. AB 1836 passed both houses of the State Legislature with unanimous bipartisan support, and follows a historic win in the State Budget where Assemblymember Gabriel helped to secure $80 million in ongoing annual funding for the NSGP.

“California is stepping up to protect our communities, so that Californians of all faiths and backgrounds can gather together and celebrate without fear,” said Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel (D-Encino), Chair of the California Legislative Jewish Caucus. “This bill sends a powerful message that California will continue to stand with the LGBTQ+ community and all others targeted by hate. We will never let hate win.”

“Every Californian deserves to feel safe when they enter a place of worship, walk into a community center, attend a Pride celebration, or gather with their community,” said Assemblymember Chris Ward (D-San Diego), Chair of the California Legislative LGBTQ Caucus. “AB 1836 strengthens California’s commitment to protecting organizations and communities that too often face threats simply because of who they are or who they serve. I am grateful to our legislative colleagues for passing this important legislation and thankful to my friend and fellow Diversity Caucus Chair, Assemblymember Gabriel, for leading the charge. I now urge Governor Newsom to sign AB 1836 into law so we can ensure our LGBTQ+, Jewish, and other communities targeted by hate have the resources they need to gather safely and without fear.”

Closing a Dangerous Gap

Since 2015, the NSGP has helped hundreds of houses of worship, community centers, and reproductive health clinics secure critical security enhancements — but that protection has stopped at the front door. AB 1836 would ensure that organizations at risk of hate-motivated violence could also utilize grant funding for security at offsite events such as Pride Parades and community religious observances, where the risk of hate-motivated violence is often greatest. Recent deadly attacks at a Hanukkah celebration in Sydney and a Pride parade in Berlin are stark reminders of the extreme vulnerability for offsite events.

A Diverse Coalition Built on Shared Safety 

AB 1836 is sponsored by Jewish California and Equality California and supported by more than 100 organizations representing LGBTQ+, Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, Christian, Latino, and Asian American communities. That breadth and depth of this diverse interfaith coalition reflects a simple truth: that Californians of all faiths and backgrounds must stand together against hate.

"Hate doesn't stop at the doors of a nonprofit organization—and neither should the protections designed to keep our communities safe," said Tony Hoang, Executive Director of Equality California. "From Pride festivals to community gatherings, LGBTQ+ Californians deserve the freedom to celebrate, connect, and access support without fear of harassment or violence. AB 1836 closes a critical gap in California's security infrastructure and reflects the shared commitment of LGBTQ+, Jewish, and other vulnerable communities to ensure that hate never prevents people from coming together. We are proud to partner with Assemblymember Gabriel and Jewish California to advance this important measure."

"Our communities don't just gather behind security doors – we gather for religious holidays in the park, we demonstrate, and we host public festivals and parades," said David Bocarsly, CEO of Jewish California. "Vulnerable communities should not have to worry about safety when practicing our traditions in the community. But with hate-motivated violence on the rise, the cost of securing these gatherings has become prohibitive for many organizations, threatening the very community-building that defines us. We thank Assemblymember Gabriel for his leadership in solving this problem, and we're proud to work alongside Equality California to make sure every Californian can come together without fear."

A Program Born From Tragedy, Built to Meet Growing Demand 

California pioneered the nation’s first dedicated, state-funded Nonprofit Security Grant Program in 2019 with legislation authored by Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel following the deadly shooting at a synagogue in Poway. Over the last several years, the state has committed more than $380 million to the program. Demand for the NSGP has outpaced that investment. In the most recent funding cycle, more than 1,600 organizations applied for grants, making it the most popular grant program administered by the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES).

What’s Next

The legislation now heads to Governor Gavin Newsom’s desk, where he will have until September 30 to decide whether to veto the bill or sign it into law.

Source: Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel