News Summary
As South Carolina’s legislative session nears its end, progress on the Senator Clementa C. Pinckney Hate Crimes Act remains stalled. With the state being one of only two in the U.S. without a hate crimes law, advocates are urging immediate action. The Pinckney Hate Crimes Act, aimed at establishing enhanced penalties for hate-motivated crimes, has faced repeated challenges in the Senate, raising concerns about the future of hate crime protections in the state.
Columbia, South Carolina – Legislative Session Nears Deadline Without Progress on Hate Crimes Bill
As South Carolina’s legislative session approaches its scheduled adjournment date of May 8, 2025, significant progress on the Senator Clementa C. Pinckney Hate Crimes Act remains stalled, leaving the state vulnerable as one of only two in the United States without a hate crimes law, the other being Wyoming. The urgency surrounding the bill’s passage has intensified, especially given that legislative deadlines loom.
The Pinckney Hate Crimes Act, prefiled by Representative Wendell Gilliard from Charleston County, aims to establish enhanced penalties for crimes motivated by hatred based on race, religion, and sexual orientation, among other characteristics. The bill has been languishing in subcommittee, despite having been introduced multiple times and even passed in the House twice in previous sessions. However, it has failed to make headway in the Senate during those attempts.
Gilliard has long advocated for stronger hate crime protections in South Carolina for nearly a decade, citing the tragic Emanuel 9 shooting in 2015 as a pivotal moment that underscored the need for such legislation. This heinous crime involved the racially motivated murder of nine Black churchgoers at Mother Emanuel AME Church, an event that continues to resonate in discussions about racial justice and safety in the state.
The ongoing legislative efforts mirror previous attempts in 2021 and 2023, both of which faced similar challenges, ultimately stalling in the Senate, which has been a significant barrier to the establishment of hate crime laws in South Carolina.
Current Legislative Environment
To exacerbate the situation, the South Carolina Senate is also deliberating on Senate Bill 99, which proposes similar enhancements for hate crime penalties. However, if the current hate crime legislation does not pass before the session concludes, it will have to be reintroduced when the legislature reconvenes in January 2026, causing further delays in potential protections.
In a parallel discussion, Representative Jermaine Johnson from Richland County has introduced a resolution to censure Representative John McCravy of Greenwood over allegations of making antisemitic and racist remarks that have allegedly impacted the representation of minority groups in the legislature. This situation has prompted many legislators to resign from the Family Caucus, citing a lack of inclusivity in its practices. McCravy, for his part, has denied these allegations, labeling the censure attempt as politically motivated.
Despite these hurdles, Representative Leon Howard remains steadfast in his resolve to advocate for hate crime protections, vowing to continue efforts on a community level, working “county by county, ordinance by ordinance”. He is among many pushing for a resolution to the state’s lack of legal protections, which, in 2022, reported 65 hate crime incidents, a decrease compared to prior years.
Local Measures in Absence of State Law
In response to the absence of a comprehensive state hate crimes law, various municipalities, including Charleston, Mount Pleasant, North Charleston, and Summerville, have proactively instituted their own hate crime ordinances. These local measures indicate a growing recognition of the issue and the necessity for legal clarity and protection against bias-motivated violence.
As the legislative session approaches its final days, the future of the Pinckney Hate Crimes Act remains uncertain. With multiple obstacles and an urgent need for comprehensive protections, advocates are rallying for immediate attention to ensure that South Carolina aligns with the broader national movement toward stricter hate crime legislation.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Change in U.S. Attorney Leadership in Columbia, SC
South Carolina Lawmakers Renew Push for Tougher Hate Crime Penalties
Additional Resources
- WPDE: SC Lawmakers Push for Hate Crime Bills
- WBTV: 2018 Murder of Transgender Black Woman Remains Unsolved
- WIS TV: Richland County Could Soon Implement Hate Crime Ordinance
- CAIR: Urges South Carolina to Pass Hate Crime Bill
- WBTW: SC Hate Crime Bill Writers Adopting New Strategy
Author: STAFF HERE LEXINGTON WRITER
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