Stamp Out Hate SC Applauds Restoration of LGBTQ Protections to Hate Crime Bill

By: Stamp Out Hate SC

This afternoon, the South Carolina House Judiciary Committee reinstated protections for LGBTQ South Carolinians in H.3620 (now called the Clementa C. Pinckney Hate Crime Act). We are relieved that these protections have been re-added to the bill, and will work hard to advocate for their continued inclusion moving forward.

The Judiciary Committee also, however, decided to remove portions of H.3620 protecting targeted citizens from harassment, stalking, property destruction, and vandalism. A large percentage of hate crime committed across the United States fit under these criminal statutes. Swastikas painted on synagogues, racial slurs painted on Black churches, simple assaults on minorities, the desecration of Jewish gravestones, and other pernicious crimes would not be covered if H.3620 passes without these protections. We urge legislators to restore these pieces of the hate crime law to ensure these crimes are included.

We truly appreciate the continued passion and efforts of the SC Representatives who authored and co-sponsored this bill, the citizens who contacted the Judiciary Committee in support of LGBTQ protections, and those who gave testimony in the subcommittee hearings leading us to this point. As the bill moves to the floor, we encourage South Carolinians to continue to contact their representatives to advocate for a comprehensive hate crime law at our website, www.StampOutHate.SC.

We will continue to fight, as a diverse array of community organizations and faith communities, to Stamp Out Hate in South Carolina.

Background on Stamp Out Hate South Carolina’s Coalition Efforts

As one of three 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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