SC is Ready to Stamp Out Hate

Join the Stamp Out Hate SC Coalition and show your support
for a Hate Crime Law in South Carolina.

Organizations in Support
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Faith Communities in Support
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SC Municipalities in Support
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Hate Crime Bill Needed
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Three Actions You Can Take

Support This Effort

We are laying the groundwork in support of the passage of a hate crime bill in the 124th South Carolina General Assembly.

01

We need organizations, faith communities, businesses and individuals to sign on in support.

02

Contact your legislators to express your support for a Hate Crime Law in SC.

03

Support the Stamp Out Hate Coalition’s efforts to pass a Hate Crime Law in SC.

Our Position Statement

We, the undersigned, in unison, call for the passage of a Hate Crime Law in South Carolina, because we cannot rely solely on Federal law enforcement to prosecute and track hate crimes occurring in our state. Where Federal crimes have not been committed, Federal, State and Local authorities are powerless to prosecute hate crime.

It is long past time that our state enshrines in law what we already believe: that committing a criminal act motivated by hate for someone because of their real or perceived race, religion, nationality, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation or disability is unacceptable. As a non-partisan coalition, we will not support a law that does not protect all targeted groups of people.

We call for this hate crime law to contain the following:

  • Criminal Penalty Enhancement
  • Sentencing Increase Guidelines
  • Institutional Vandalism Statutes
  • Statewide Data Collection System
  • Mandatory Reporting to the FBI
  • Law Enforcement Training Mandates
  • Explicit Protected Classes


According to the FBI, hate crimes hit a 16 year high in 2019. The FBI estimates that less than half of hate crimes are reported to the police. The limited data available to the FBI from South Carolina also indicated an increase in hate crime, however, South Carolina is one of only three states without a hate crime law to appropriately respond.

As we have witnessed in our state and across the country, making progress in how we protect those targeted by hate is also attractive to businesses hoping to maintain  preferred employer status and relocate to or expand in South Carolina.

We call on the 124th General Assembly of South Carolina to act against hate. 

Statements of Support

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is a Hate Crime Law needed in South Carolina?