Orangeburg Takes a Stand Against Hate

Orangeburg County is making a move to protect its residents. They are looking to pass a new rule. This rule would make it a minor crime to hurt or scare someone because of who they are. It covers things like race, religion, and more. If someone breaks this rule, they could go to jail for a month or pay a fine. They might even have to do extra work or go to classes. This is big news because South Carolina is one of only two states without a similar law. Orangeburg is copying a rule from another county. They want to make sure everyone feels safe. A council member said they talked to others who made this rule. They want to show that they care about the people in their county. The rule is called \"hate intimidation. \" It means if someone does something bad because they hate a group of people, they can be in trouble. Even if a kid does something bad, their parents might be responsible too. But this rule only works in certain parts of Orangeburg County. The council member had a message for everyone. She said they want people to know they are listening. They want everyone to feel safe in Orangeburg County.