Kershaw County Council has rejected a proposed hate crime ordinance during its first reading Tuesday night. The ordinance was presented for first reading in title only, meaning the measure was introduced without a detailed explanation or discussion.
Four residents spoke during public comment about the proposed ordinance. The proposal would have created additional penalties for crimes targeting individuals based on race, religion, sexual orientation, gender or disabilities.
Councilman Sammie Tucker Junior made a motion to approve the first reading, but no other council member seconded the motion, effectively killing the ordinance. Councilmen Russell Brazzell, Derek Shoemake, Danny Catoe and Chairman Ben Connell were in attendance in person, while councilmen Brant Tomlinson and Jimmy Jones did not participate in the vote.
