MORNING NEWSBREAK | Lowcountry leaders gathered at Emanuel AME Church Monday to make a special push to encourage state senators to pass a long-dreamed-of hate crime law.
It is among the major bills unresolved in the General Assembly, which is racing toward the end of its regular session Thursday. Also still on tap: proposals to enact medical marijuana, judicial reform and energy expansion.
Nine years ago, White supremacist Dylann Roof shot and killed nine worshippers at the downtown Charleston church in a race-based attack that stunned the nation. Since then, there’s been a push for a state law to make hate crimes illegal. South Carolina is one of two states without such a law.
The measure rests in the state Senate’s hands. If passed, it would strengthen penalties for certain violent crimes in which a victim was targeted due to their race, color, religion, sex, gender, national origin, sexual orientation or physical or mental disability. A judge also could add up to five years in prison or a fine of up to $10,000 to a sentence.
“The message has been sent loud and clear,” S.C. Sen. Deon Tedder, D-Charleston, said Monday. “If we have our municipalities passing this [kind of] legislation, then it’s clear that the people of South Carolina want this bill and need it.”
Charleston, North Charleston, Columbia, Mount Pleasant, Myrtle Beach, Greenville and Florence have passed local hate crime ordinances in the absence of a state law. Summerville’s proposed ordinance is set for a final vote May 9, the same day the legislative session ends in Columbia.
In other news today:
CP NEWS: Charleston police arrest 2nd suspect in double traffic fatality. Charleston police on Monday arrested a 32-year-old Summerville man as a second suspect in an April 28 hit-and-run downtown accident that killed two Simpsonville residents.
CP FOOD: Sarah’s Dumps celebrates AAPI Heritage month with collaborations. A mix of Charleston-based AAPI Heritage chefs, makers and creatives will collaborate for a special class and dinner experience in honor of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month May 29.
FAA investigates Boeing after it says S.C. workers falsified inspection records. The Federal Aviation Administration has opened an investigation into Boeing after the beleaguered company reported that workers at a South Carolina plant falsified inspection records on certain Boeing 787 Dreamliner jets.
CARTA offering free rides to beach all summer in Charleston area. The Charleston Area Regional Transportation Authority will kick off its Beach Reach shuttle service on Memorial Day for the third year.
Mandates raise concern for purging carcinogens from Charleston water supply. New federal mandates require the removal of dangerous chemicals found in rivers and streams throughout the Lowcountry.
Nesting patrol finds sea turtle nest on Kiawah Island. Nest patrollers on Kiawah Island found their first sea turtle nest of the season and marked the spot with a numbered post to warn visitors and keep track of the eggs.
‘Righteous Gemstones,’ ‘Outer Banks’ looking for extras. With both “Outer Banks” and “The Righteous Gemstones” currently filming in Charleston, opportunities are springing up to make it on those hit shows.
Charleston Co. to open discussion for Rutledge Tomb preservation. Charleston County Council will host open discussions on the fate of a 17th-century historical site known as Rutledge Tomb in Mount Pleasant. Also in Mount Pleasant, town leaders met Monday to discuss the future of potential cruise ships being able to dock and disembark at Patriots Point for potential positive economic impact.
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