State Lawmakers Question Call to Hold Rival Rallies on Same Day

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Columbia , S.C. (WOLO) — On Tuesday, state lawmakers held a hearing to learn why officials made the decision to allow the KKK and a Black Panther group to rally on the State House grounds on the same day. Nearly 2 weeks after violence erupted on the State House grounds during the rallies, State law makers sought answers. “It would seem to me that somebody with the Department of Administration should have realized they weren’t coming to eat cookies and sip lemonade,” said Senator John Courson. During the July 18th rallies, law enforcement officials ramped up security, but several fights still broke out leading to at least 5 arrests. In Tuesday’s hearing, officials spoke out saying they were overwhelmed by the thousands of people there to cause trouble. “We were very fortunate we did not have more people injured and more property destroyed than what we had,” said Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott. “Law enforcement, while we were out in force, we were still outnumbered.” Department of Administration Director, Nolan Wiggins, defended the decision to allow both groups to rally on the same day, citing first amendment rights. No major decisions were made at Tuesday’s hearing but officials did recommend possible legislation to prevent hate groups from being allowed to rally on State House grounds.