Wellford Takes Action Against Hate Crimes
Wellford
becomes the latest city in South Carolina to establish penalties for hate crimes, under new city Ordinance 2024-0806-01. The historic move shows progress in a state that is one of the last remaining in the country without statewide hate crime laws.
Other towns in the Palmetto state, including Greenville and Beaufort, have also taken up this issue on their own, reacting to the still open statewide gap. Wellford’s city council decisively responded by unanimously passing the rule, joining about a dozen other cities in the state stepping up against hate crime.
According to the ordinance, any person convicted of a hate crime committed within the city limits could face up to 30 days in jail, a penalty of up to $500, compulsory counseling or therapy, and potentially other forms of restitution to the victims. In the eyes of Wellford law enforcement, hate crimes will be classified as misdemeanors.
A Step Forward
Among the town’s law professionals, the new resolution was well received. “It seems like this particular [ordinance] would just have an additional element of punishment, an additional fine, an additional prison time potentially on top of whatever the fine or prison time was for the underlying crime,” said a local lawyer.
Wellford officials have been working towards this regulation behind the scenes for years. Wellford Police Clerk and Victim Advocate noted that since their community is diverse, having protective laws in place is beneficial for the wellbeing of everyone – from current and future residents to occasional visitors.
“Hopefully South Carolina will follow suit and make a state-level punishment for this type of crime,” they added.
Push for Statewide Law
State legislators tried to implement a statewide law earlier this year with the introduction of the Clementa C. Pickney Hate Crimes Act in 2023. Though it successfully passed the house, unfortunately, it met its end in the Senate.
However, this setback didn’t deter cities like Beaufort and Wellford from taking matters into their own hands. They began building their own set of regulations against hate crimes, a move reflective of their commitment to uphold every citizen’s right to live free from hate and discrimination.
Personal Take: A Council Member’s Story
One city council member, who identifies as African American, has shared their personal experiences on the receiving end of hatred. They recalled being targeted by racial slurs and disparaging actions while growing up in the area.
Despite the painful past, it is the very struggles they faced that propelled them into the work they do today – advocating for change in the town they love. “I grew up knowing things needed to change,” they remarked, clearly demonstrating that this latest ordinance is a step towards the change they envisioned.
All in all, the newly passed ordinance by the Wellford city council represents progress and strength in standing against hate, hoping to encourage other cities and the entire state to follow suit.
