the yes california independence campaign is an american political action committee. it promotes the secession of the state of california from the united states via a referendum proposed for 2019. the campaign president is louis j. marinelli. he is a former new yorker who lives in russia he has received help from the russian government to promote his efforts. marinelli was encouraged by the news of brexit, the united kingdom plan for leaving the european union. the group has been nicknamed "calexit" for california exit. the left-wing group was allowed to set up a makeshift embassy in moscow under the name the “embassy of the independent republic of california". the kremlin has been known for supporting secessionist movements in europe and the united states.