SIREN, a racial equity nonprofit, is requesting that the City Council amend Chapter 22 of the city’s Code of Ordinances, “Offenses and Miscellaneous Provision,” to add a section entitled “Roy C. Henderson Hate Crimes Ordinance.”
The ordinance is named for venerated Spartanburg leader Roy C. Henderson. Henderson served his community through his involvement with the Spartanburg City Council, where he served as mayor pro tempore. As city councilman, Henderson worked cooperatively with his fellow council members to bring BMW and the Marriott hotel to Spartanburg. Henderson also helped to bring a minority business council to the city and fought for affordable housing for Spartanburg residents. He was a charter member of the Xi Theta Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., was involved with the S.C. State University Alumni Association, served as a deacon at Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church, and later at Majority Baptist Church, where he served until his death. He was the founder of the Progressive Men’s Club, where he was president of the J.C. Bull Right Start, a mentoring program for minority boys in the city. He was president and a lifetime member of the NAACP. While in the NAACP, Mr. Henderson fought for equality in the hiring and promotion of minorities in government and business. Mr. Henderson was named a plaintiff along with the U.S. Department of Justice in tackling systemic discrimination in Spartanburg School District 7.
SIREN asks that this definition of a hate crime be used in the ordinance:
“Any criminal acts, including but not limited to assault, murder, arson, vandalism, or defacement of property, as well as hate material or threats motivated by bias against race, color, religion, national origin, legal status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity/expression, or physical and mental disability, occurring at home, school, work, church, hospitals, private businesses, public spaces, police stations, or traffic stops, will not be tolerated.”
South Carolina and Wyoming are the only two states that do not have a Hate Crimes law to protect their residents. South Carolina legislators have yet to approve the Clementa C. Pinckney Hate Crimes Act, which expired last session. These crimes target individuals but have a broader impact on the health and well-being of entire communities. Racism, discrimination, and violence have been proven to have a major impact on people’s health, well-being, and quality of life.
In 2019, the State of South Carolina had 57 reported hate crimes, according to an FBI annual report. In 2020, the state had 110 reported hate crimes. In 2023, out of the 115 reported hate crime incidents, 70 were for race and ethnicity.
Because of the Legislature’s inaction, cities across South Carolina have begun passing local hate crimes ordinances – including Greenville, Charleston and Wellford. These are tracked by the South Carolina Municipal Association.
There have been multiple incidents motivated by bias over the years here in the City of Spartanburg. There was a gas station attack with racial slurs being said on December 20, 2023, at the Circle K gas station on the east side. Upstate Pride moved back to Barnett Park due to harassment and fear of intimidation and threats. One threat resulted in FBI engagement and an arrest.
The City of Spartanburg is a popular events, sports, and visitor destination that draws people from all walks of life. We have Music on Main, the Spartanburg International festival, five colleges/universities with sports teams, the annual CRIT, and the new minor league baseball team. The physical and mental safety of the residents, players, and visitors is paramount.
The amendment to include Hate Crimes will solidify the promise the City made with the Healing, Reconciling, and Unity Resolution. Spartanburg City Council has the authority to enact new sections of its Code of Ordinances when deemed to be in the best interest of the citizens of the City, and further having the authority to promote and protect the security and general welfare of all of its residents and to preserve the peace and maintain order within its borders.
Read the full version of our proposed ordinance here.
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