SC NAACP: Conway cross burning is a hate crime
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Photo: SC NAACP
COLUMBIA, S.C. (WOLO)– The South Carolina NAACP has released a statement and is calling for a hate crime law in South Carolina following the Nov. 24 cross burning in Conway.
A white couple is accused of allegedly harassing their Black neighbors with verbal and online threats, which resulted in the couple burning a cross in view of their neighbors’ yard over Thanksgiving weekend.
The statement condemns the act as a hate crime and called on the State Legislature to pass hate crime legislation.
The couple were arrested and are facing harassment charges, according to the Horry County Police Department.
During the arrest, the Horry County Police Department’s body cameras allegedly captured footage of the racial statements and threats to harm others.
Brenda C. Murphy, President of the South Carolina State Conference of the NAACP stated, “Black South Carolinians have endured the indignity of a racially divisive society for far too long and this is appalling that in 2023, we still have such hateful rhetoric and cross burnings.”
Murphy is calling on the Governor and the South Carolina General Assembly to enact and implement a Hate Crime Bill for all South Carolinians.
South Carolina is one of two states in the nation without a law criminalizing hate crimes.
President Murphy also stated the NAACP South Carolina State Conference is willing to work with local law enforcement, the Governor, and the Department of Justice to ensure the safety of the family and others.
