California divided? See group rally for urban-rural state split at Capitol

A small group of supporters of the “New California State” movement rallied at the Capitol on Tuesday afternoon, reiterating their call to create a 51st state out of the rural parts of the Golden State.

Under the far-fetched proposal, the urban areas of San Francisco Bay Area, Los Angeles and Sacramento would remain in “old California.” The division results in roughly equal populations, but the geography is complicated by the fact that the urban areas are not adjacent.

“History is demanding a change in this nation. We can make this change now,” said group founder Paul Preston, a conservative talk radio host who has spent about a decade on the project.

He created the proposal after becoming disillusioned with the State of Jefferson movement, which would form a 51st state out of northern California counties.

In a different direction, the California Secretary of State’s office announced last month that proponents would begin gathering signatures for a new initiative to study California’s viability as an independent country.