SC legislature should send a message by passing Clementa Pinckney Hate Crimes Act
When we learned of the murder of nine African Americans at Mother Emanuel AME Church in Charleston on June 17, 2015, we were rightfully appalled that such a tragedy could happen in our state. In response, figuratively and literally, we embraced each other with compassion and declared that hate is not welcome in our state.
We came together across racial lines and other barriers that are used to separate us and found “Common Ground” as “A Pathway to Equity, Equality, and Inclusion.” Hate is a different pathway, which denies one’s equality and says, “you do not belong!” The Columbia Urban League and its Board of Directors reject that kind of thinking.
That is why we call on the South Carolina Legislature to join the other 48 states that have passed a hate crimes law. As citizens of this great state who clearly and forcefully rejected hatred by our actions in the aftermath of the Mother Emanuel tragedy, we must implore our legislature to act responsibly on our behalf: Please join me and the Columbia Urban League Board of Directors as we call on the State Legislature to pass the “Clementa Pinckney Hate Crimes Act.”
The “Clementa Pinckney Hate Crimes Act” was passed by the House but fell short in the Senate. The act allows a jury that convicts someone for a violent crime to also convict for extra punishment if the crime is based on race, color, religion, sex, gender, natural origin, sexual orientation, or physical or mental disability of the victim. Passing the act sends the message that such hateful acts are particularly egregious and not welcome in our state.
It is a message that we need to hear as citizens. It is also a message that businesses need to hear. When the “Clementa Pinckney Hate Crimes Act” was before the state Legislature, a number of business groups in South Carolina petitioned lawmakers to pass it. They said the lack of such a law makes our state less attractive for businesses to locate here. Nearly 100 companies in South Carolina were in support of the law.
We are not suggesting that those who oppose the law are in any way supporters of hate or hateful acts. Of course, they are not. However, we believe that the lack of a hate crimes law can send a signal that hate is acceptable here, especially when all but South Carolina and one other state have passed a hate crimes law. Also, according to new data, South Carolina saw a sharp increase in the number of hate crime incidents reported to the FBI in 2020. In 2020, there were 110 hate crime incidents reported to the FBI from South Carolina police agencies, whereas in 2019, 57 were reported. My fellow South Carolinians, we have the common ground to pass this law. Let’s stand firmly on that ground and do the right thing.
This story was originally published March 9, 2022 at 5:30 AM.