Residents and state lawmaker urge Spartanburg council to add local hate-crimes ordinance to agenda

Several residents, local advocates and a state representative asked the Spartanburg City Council on Sept. 8 to place a local hate-crimes ordinance on a future council agenda.

The request came during public comment from speakers representing faith groups, racial-equity organizations and individual residents who said South Carolina lacks a statewide hate-crimes law and that city action would provide local protections. Dr. Rosalind Henderson Myers, who identified herself as the state representative for House District 31, urged the council to place the “Roycee Henderson hate crime ordinance” on the agenda for a vote.

Why it matters: Speakers said local ordinances fill a statutory gap where a state law does not exist and argued a city ordinance would strengthen law enforcement response, deter bias-driven violence and signal that Spartanburg is welcoming to diverse communities.

What speakers said: Alice Sutton (Unitarian Universalist Church of Spartanburg) said, “Give us one more reason to be proud of our city,” and asked council to add the proposed ordinance to the next agenda. Liv Hawkins (resident) described being verbally harassed downtown and told council the ordinance is “very important to me personally.” Kayla Orr (community advocate for CYREN — the Spartanburg Initiative for Racial Equity Now) cited FBI data noting an increase in reported hate crimes in South Carolina and said the ordinance would “send a clear message” that all residents are protected. Dr. Rosalind Henderson Myers (state representative) urged immediate action by council and said local passage is the right step when the state has not acted.

Council response and context: Council members expressed support for the topic and said they would follow up; no formal vote or agenda addition was taken at the Sept. 8 meeting. Council members referenced the city’s prior policy commitments on racial equity and said placing a draft ordinance on a future agenda would be considered.

Details cited in public comment: Speakers referenced the lack of statewide hate-crimes legislation in South Carolina, FBI incident data showing an increase in reported hate crimes, and local examples of harassment. Several callers asked specifically for the council to place a named proposed ordinance on the agenda for consideration and vote.

Next steps: No action recorded at the meeting. Multiple speakers asked the council to add the ordinance to a future agenda; council said staff would follow up with commenters.