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Irmo council adds hate intimidation prohibition to municipal code in unanimous vote
Summary
The Town of Irmo council approved first reading of Ordinance 25-12 to add a hate-intimidation provision to the municipal code (new section 22-72). Councilwoman Phyllis Coleman sponsored the measure and described personal reasons for bringing it forward; the vote was unanimous.
The Town of Irmo council voted unanimously to approve on first reading Ordinance 25-12, an amendment to Chapter 22 of the Irmo municipal code to add section 22-72, making hate intimidation illegal within town limits.
Councilwoman Phyllis Coleman, who brought the ordinance forward, said the measure was intended to provide consistent protections across the entire town and to send a message that the town will not tolerate intimidation or bias-based conduct. Coleman recounted a personal connection to the topic and said the ordinance addresses a moral and civic obligation: "...I saw where Richland County had passed the similar ordinance. And I thought, well, only half of our town is covered by that kind of protection, and we really should offer it to the entire town," she said. Coleman also referenced the 2015 killing of Reverend Clementa Pinckney as a motivating experience for her advocacy, saying that the event affected her and her church community.
Mayor Bill Danielson called the item and the roll; the ordinance passed with all council members voting yes.
Votes at a glance: Ordinance 25-12 (first reading; add section 22-72 hate intimidation) ' vote 5 yes, 0 no; outcome: approved on first reading.
Council indicated the item will be processed as part of the town's code update and will return as required for final reading and adoption procedures.
