Plans for a hate crime law in Kershaw County stalled after a split vote during its first reading. The proposal didn’t get the necessary backing to advance after a public comment session where residents clashed over the necessity of the legislation.
"If you intentionally harm somebody, well there's a certain degree of hate in that or disrespect in that,” one resident argued. “Why would you then want to put a surcharge on top of that?"
Others say the absence of a hate crime law sets a dangerous precedent for different communities.
"First, hate crimes create fear and division,” said another resident. “When someone is targeted because of their race, religion, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, or another protected characteristic, the impact reaches far beyond just that one person, it reaches the entirety of a community."
South Carolina currently remains one of only two states in the country without a statewide hate crime law.
