News Summary
Community members in Greenwood are advocating for a hate intimidation ordinance following a series of racial incidents. This push gained traction during a recent city council meeting, especially after a violent road rage episode highlighted the urgent need for legal measures against hate crimes. While cities like Greenville and Charleston have established similar ordinances, Greenwood is seeking to join the movement amid ongoing discussions about the effectiveness of state-level hate crime legislation.
Greenwood residents are advocating for the enactment of a hate intimidation ordinance to address recent racial incidents in their community. The proposal gained momentum during a city council meeting at the end of April, driven by concerns over rising intolerance and the need for formal legislative measures against hate-motivated acts.
The renewed push for this ordinance follows a disturbing road rage incident involving Dennis Allen from McCormick County, who allegedly directed racial slurs at Sanquenetta Brown, a Black woman. Despite public outrage and the availability of video evidence that documents the incident, law enforcement officials indicated that the conduct did not fulfill the legal criteria necessary for hate crime charges under the existing state law.
Greenwood is not alone in its efforts; many cities across South Carolina, including Greenville, Charleston, and Beaufort, have successfully passed their own local hate intimidation ordinances. These measures are typically designed to impose stricter penalties for crimes that are motivated by bias, signaling a commitment to protect vulnerable communities. Residents of Greenwood are echoing these sentiments, eager for their city to join others in demonstrating that hate-fueled crimes will not go unpunished.
The advocacy for a hate intimidation ordinance stems from not only the recent incident involving Allen but also two additional high-profile racial occurrences in Greenwood County. The urgency for such legislation is heightened by the larger context of systemic issues surrounding hate crimes in South Carolina. The state remains one of only two in the nation that lacks comprehensive statewide hate crime laws. This reality became starkly highlighted in discussions that arose after the 2015 Mother Emanuel AME Church shooting, where nine Black congregants were murdered, an event that reignited calls for legislative reform in hate crime definitions and penalties.
The Greenwood City Council has yet to formally discuss or vote on the proposed hate intimidation ordinance. Councilman Johnathan Bass raised concerns about whether the city council’s role should include exerting pressure on state lawmakers concerning criminal laws. Meanwhile, Mayor Brandon Smith and other council members recognize the public’s interest in the issue, though they have not arrived at a unified stance on the ordinance.
Efforts to address hate crimes at the state level have faced obstacles as well. The proposed Clementa C. Pinckney Hate Crimes Act has remained stalled in the South Carolina Senate, even after passing in the House multiple times. This deadlock has left advocates uncertain about when meaningful changes to hate crime legislation might occur at the state level.
However, there is hope that local initiatives, like those advanced in Greenwood and Richland County, could serve as a catalyst for state legislative action. The Richland County Council is currently advancing a similar ordinance, which has attracted support from local law enforcement officials. This ordinance seeks to institute penalties for acts of intimidation or harassment that are based on race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or other protected characteristics.
Supporters of the ordinance in Greenwood, including activists and concerned residents, assert that implementing municipal laws is crucial for establishing a baseline of protections against hate crimes. They emphasize the necessity of accountability for individuals whose actions are motivated by hate, which in turn could influence broader change in state legislation.
With talks of reviewing the proposed ordinance in Greenwood set for June, the city council has yet to place the matter on the official agenda for discussion. As discussions continue, community advocates remain hopeful that momentum will build towards a more strengthened approach to combating hate and promoting inclusivity in Greenwood.
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Additional Resources
- Index Journal: Sheriff’s Office Investigating Possible Hate Crime
- Wikipedia: Hate Crime
- IndyStar: Judge Sides with Greenwood Chief
- Google Search: Greenwood Hate Crimes
- Cornell Sun: Prosecutor Drops Hate Crime Charge
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Hate Crime
- KJRH: Assistant Attorney General Visits Greenwood
- Google News: Hate Intimidation Ordinance South Carolina
Author: HERE Greenwood
GREENWOOD STAFF WRITER The GREENWOOD STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREGreenwood.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Greenwood, Greenwood County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Festival of Flowers, Greenwood Community Theatre performances, and agricultural showcases at the Greenwood County Fairgrounds. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greenwood Chamber of Commerce and the Greater Greenwood United Ministry, plus leading businesses in manufacturing and healthcare that power the local economy such as FujiFilm Manufacturing and Self Regional Healthcare. As part of the broader HERE network, including HERECharleston.com, HEREColumbia.com, HEREGreenville.com, and HEREHiltonHead.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into South Carolina's dynamic landscape.
