Local activist delivers 683‑signature petition urging Kershaw County to adopt hate‑crimes ordinance

At the May 12 Kershaw County Council meeting, community activist and statehouse candidate Eve Carlin presented a petition with 683 signatures asking the council to enact a county hate‑crimes ordinance. Carlin, who said she represents multiple groups including Kershaw County NAACP leaders, read portions of a draft ordinance that would define bias‑motivated offenses and add penalties in addition to underlying criminal charges.

Carlin told the council the petition and draft were a collaborative product including the Kershaw County NAACP and Concerned Citizens, and she asked council to adopt the ordinance to protect residents and visitors across categories enumerated in the draft, including race, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability and national origin. She said South Carolina is one of two states without a statewide hate‑crimes statute and urged local action.

Council did not take up the petition for a vote at the meeting; it was entered into the public record and acknowledged by the clerk. Carlin identified partners who were present and asked for formal consideration; she left copies of the petitions with county staff.

Council members thanked Carlin and other petitioners for organizing the effort and for bringing a proposed draft forward for staff and council review. Council or staff follow‑up steps were not specified on the record; organizations and petitioners may expect staff to coordinate next steps for formal placement on a future agenda if requested.

Quote: "We the residents of Kershaw County call upon the Kershaw County Council... to enact a hate crimes ordinance," Carlin said while presenting the petitions.

Next procedural step: Petitioners may request formal placement on a future agenda or county staff may review the draft for legal form and implementation implications (not yet scheduled).