The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today welcomed a move by another South Carolina County to pass a hate crime resolution.
The Orangeburg County Council approved the first reading of a proposed hate crime ordinance. The ordinance includes a new “hate intimidation” offense under which a suspect could be charged if the crime was motivated by bias.
In June, CAIR welcomed a new hate crime ordinance by that state’s Richland County, the first such measure passed by a county in that state.
“We support this effort to ensure that all citizens are treated with respect and that those who target minority communities with bias-motivated acts will be held accountable by the law,” said CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper.
He noted that earlier this year, CAIR urged lawmakers in South Carolina to pass a hate crime bill. South Carolina is one of only two states without a hate crime law.
Washington, D.C., based CAIR has previously expressed support for the passage of the hate crime bill in South Carolina.
SEE: CAIR Reiterates Support for South Carolina Hate Crime Bill
CAIR Reiterates Support for South Carolina Hate Crime Law After Bill Advances from Subcommittee
CAIR Backs Rally in Support of Proposed South Carolina Hate Crime Bill
Hooper said CAIR and the American Muslim community stand in solidarity with all those challenging antisemitism, systemic anti-Black racism, xenophobia, Islamophobia, white supremacy, and all other forms of bigotry.
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CONTACT: CAIR National Deputy Director Edward Ahmed Mitchell, 404-285-9530, e-Mitchell@cair.com; CAIR Government Affairs Director Robert McCaw, 202-742-6448, rmccaw@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, ihooper@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Manager Ismail Allison, 202-770-6280, iallison@cair.com