Assembly MeasureChaptered/Signed
AR 84: Relative to condemning racism.
What AR 84 does, verified May 14, 2026
This bill condemns racism in all its forms and seeks to promote a culture of inclusion and respect. It recognizes the harm caused by racism and encourages individuals to challenge discriminatory attitudes and behaviors. The bill aims to foster a more equitable society by promoting education, awareness, and empathy. It also seeks to address systemic racism and inequality by supporting policies and programs that promote diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Bill journey
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6ChapteredCurrent
Last action: Read. Adopted. (Ayes 62. Noes 0. Page 3951.). (2026-02-09)Alert me
Author and sponsors
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| Feb. 09, 2026 | Read. Adopted. (Ayes 62. Noes 0. Page 3951.). |
| Feb. 09, 2026 | Read. Adopted. |
| Feb. 09, 2026 | Coauthors revised. |
| Feb. 09, 2026 | Assembly Rule 63 suspended. (Page 3948.) |
| Feb. 09, 2026 | Without reference to committee. |
Latest bill textIntroduced version, February 9, 2026 · 687 words
| Revised February 09, 2026 |
CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE— 2025–2026 REGULAR SESSION
House Resolution
No. 84
| Introduced by Assembly Members Bryan, Bonta, Elhawary, Gipson, Jackson, McKinnor, Ransom, Sharp-Collins, and Wilson (Coauthors: Assembly Members Aguiar-Curry, Ahrens, Alanis, Alvarez, Ávila Farías, Bains, Bennett, Berman, Calderon, Caloza, Connolly, Flora, Fong, Gabriel, Garcia, Jeff Gonzalez, Mark González, Haney, Harabedian, Hart, Hoover, Irwin, Johnson, Kalra, Krell, Lee, Lowenthal, Nguyen, Ortega, Pacheco, Papan, Patel, Pellerin, Petrie-Norris, Quirk-Silva, Ramos, Rivas, Michelle Rodriguez, Rogers, Blanca Rubio, Schiavo, Schultz, Solache, Soria, Stefani, Ta, Valencia, Wallis, Ward, Wicks, and Zbur) |
February 09, 2026 |
Relative to condemning racism.
LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
HR 84, as introduced, Bryan.
WHEREAS, This year marks the centennial anniversary of Black History Month, a time when our nation should be honoring the immeasurable contributions of Black Americans and recommitting ourselves to confronting racism, discrimination, and hate in all forms; and
WHEREAS, United States President Donald J. Trump posted on the social media platform Truth Social a video clip depicting former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama as apes; and
WHEREAS, The depiction of Black people as apes, monkeys, or other wild animals is a long-standing and widely recognized racist trope used historically by slave traders, segregationists, and white supremacists to dehumanize Black Americans and justify racial terror, including lynchings; and
WHEREAS, President Donald Trump’s decision to amplify this imagery is profoundly offensive, racist, and incompatible with the dignity of the office of the President of the United States; and
WHEREAS, President Donald Trump’s post was not merely “offensive” or “in poor taste,” but a direct act of racial dehumanization that perpetuates a violent and hateful history; and
WHEREAS, President Donald Trump’s post is not a single isolated incident, but part of a long and documented pattern of promoting racist and dehumanizing rhetoric and conspiracy theories targeting Black Americans and other communities of color, including the false “birther” conspiracy theory about President Barack Obama, the first Black American to be elected to the office of President of the United States; and
WHEREAS, Racist imagery and rhetoric, especially when promoted by those in positions of power, fuels hate, emboldens extremists, and increases threats and violence against communities already targeted by discrimination; and
WHEREAS, California is home to one of the most diverse populations in the nation, and the State of California has a moral obligation to reject racism, condemn white supremacist messaging, and stand in solidarity with Black communities and all people targeted by hate; and
WHEREAS, Silence in the face of racism is not neutrality, it is complicity; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the Assembly of the State of California, That the Assembly condemns President Donald J. Trump’s racist post depicting former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama as dancing apes, and rejects the normalization of racist imagery, slurs, and conspiracy theories in American public life; and be it further
Resolved, That the Assembly affirms that racism is not a “meme,” not a joke, and not protected from accountability by being repackaged as internet culture; and be it further
Resolved, That the Assembly declares that during Black History Month, and every month, California will not tolerate racist dehumanization from the highest office in the nation, and will continue to stand with Black communities against hate and white supremacist ideology; and be it further
Resolved, That the Assembly calls on President Donald Trump to issue a public apology to former President Barack Obama, former First Lady Michelle Obama, and to Black Americans nationwide for promoting racist imagery and dehumanizing tropes; and be it further
Resolved, That the Assembly calls on all elected officials regardless of party affiliation to join in condemning this racist act and to reject the use of dehumanizing imagery against Black Americans; and be it further
Resolved, That the Assembly reaffirms the achievements and contributions of Black Americans to the State of California and our nation; and be it further
Resolved, That the Assembly recommits itself to advancing policies that confront systemic racism, protect civil rights, and ensure all Californians can live free from discrimination and hate; and be it further
Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies of this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.
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REVISIONS:
Heading—Line 3.
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Text of AR 84 as introduced, from the official record. Connect Plus keeps every version and highlights what changed.Compare versions