South Carolina House lawmakers took an important step Wednesday toward passing hate crime legislation, advancing the Clementa C. Pinckney Hate Crimes Act.
The bill would add penalty enhancements for certain crimes when the victim was intentionally targeted based on certain factors, including race, color, sex, gender, national origin, sexual orientation, or physical or mental disability.
The bill is named in honor of the former Charleston lawmaker and pastor who died when a confessed white supremecist killed nine black congregants of Emanuel AME Church in 2015.
South Carolina is one of two states in the country without a hate crimes statute. Wyoming is the other.
The CLT Alliance, along with other South Carolina metro chambers, is supporting the Clementa C. Pinckney Hate Crimes Act. The CLT Alliance co-authored a letter of support that reads in part: “It is time for our state to again prioritize and expand the dialogue on matters that will make life better for all our residents. To bring about real and lasting change and economic prosperity to all our neighbors, our communities must be safe, thriving, and equitable. Being one of two states that does not have a hate crimes statute we feel our neighboring states will use this against our state for economic development projects moving forward.”
The South Carolina metro chambers have a long history of supporting hate crime legislation. Chamber representatives testified to the House Equitable Justice committee in 2020. The chambers wrote to the legislature in 2018 urging continued action on sentencing reform, and collectively, the organizations have a legacy of leading initiatives that foster prosperity for all citizens.
“To ensure our economy remains successful and vibrant, we need to ensure everybody who is in our great state feels respected and valued,” the letter reads. “The lack of a simple hate crimes penalty enhancement continues to make some of our neighbors and employees feel marginalized. We believe the time is now to move the hate crimes legislation and we look forward to continuing to lead and engage in these conversations and assisting you in implementing long-overdue solutions.”
The bill still has hurdles to overcome. In 2021, hate crimes legislation quickly advanced in the South Carolina House and stalled in the Senate. Efficiency and fairness in the criminal justice system are part of the CLT Alliance legislative agenda. Advocacy by the CLT Alliance on hate crimes legislation will continue.
