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.