The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today welcomed the passage of a hate intimidation ordinance in Orangeburg, South Carolina.
The hate intimidation ordinance was passed unanimously at the city council meeting on Tuesday. The ordinance in part states that it would be illegal to harm someone based on their “race, ethnicity, national origin, color, sexual orientation, religion, gender or gender identity.” Violations of the ordinance would lead to a $500 fine or up to 30 days in prison.
“We welcome the passage of this important ordinance to combat hate crimes,” said CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper. “We again urge South Carolina lawmakers to follow suit and pass an anti-hate crime bill statewide.”
CAIR previously supported a similar ordinance in Orangeburg County.
SEE: CAIR Welcomes Move by Another South Carolina County to Pass Hate Crime Ordinance
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.
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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