Stamp Out Hate SC Releases Statement on SC Legislature’s Failure to Pass Hate Crimes Act

Stamp Out Hate SC, a coalition of individuals, businesses, and organizations that support the passage of a Hate Crime Law in South Carolina, today release the following statement regarding the failure of the state’s legislature to pass H3620, the Rev. Clementa C. Pinckney Hate Crimes Act:

“Stamp Out Hate SC is profoundly disappointed that the SC Senate opted not to debate and vote upon H.3620, the Rev. Clementa C. Pinckney Hate Crimes Act, this legislative session. After successfully passing the House and being reported on favorably by the Senate Judiciary in 2021, the hate crimes bill sat untouched in the Senate for the duration of the 2022 session, due to the objections of five Upstate Senators.

Most disheartening about this failure to take common sense action against hate is that it ignores the will of South Carolinians. In an unprecedented coalition, non-profits, businesses, our State Chambers of Commerce, and diverse faith communities came together in common cause to advance this hate crimes legislation, further than in any previous attempt.

Though H.3620 is now dead in its current form, we will work again with legislators and community leaders to reintroduce similar legislation in the next session. We applaud the House for taking action to combat hate in South Carolina. We also thank the Senators who bravely took the well at every opportunity to urge their colleagues to take up this important issue.

We stand committed to Stamping Out Hate across our state so that all South Carolinians are safe to be who they are.”

Background on Stamp Out Hate South Carolina’s Coalition Efforts

As one of two states in the US with no law specifically protecting citizens targeted by hate crime, it is long past time that South Carolina moves forward with the passage of hate crime legislation.

In the interest of making that happen, the Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Charleston, Alliance for Full Acceptance, Mother Emanuel AME Church, Charleston Hispanic Association, Lowcountry Coalition Against Hate, the Anti-Defamation League, Jewish Council for Public Affairs, Columbia Jewish Federation, Charleston Jewish Federation, and others have banded together behind a position statement and an official campaign called Stamp Out Hate South Carolina.

Our position statement, the list of signers, the link to add your organization to the list, and information on how to support our campaign are available on our coalition’s website: www.stampouthate.sc

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Editor’s Note – Holy City Sinner founder Christian Senger is one Stamp Out Hate South Carolina’s business supporters.

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