South Carolina State Conference

December 26, 2023

For Immediate Release Contact: President Brenda C. Murphy

(803) 754-4584 office

RE: Conway, S.C. Cross Burning is a Hate Crime!!!

A White couple harassed their Black neighbors by directing racial slurs as

well as hateful actions in Conway, S.C. On November 24th, the couple
burned a cross facing their neighbors’ home while stating that they “will be
summoning the devil’s army.” Furthermore, they posted the Black couple’s
address on Facebook to incite others to spew racism and hatred. The
couple’s racist actions contributed to their and ensuing harassment charges.
During the arrest, the couple continued to make racial slurs and threatened to
harm both their Black neighbors and the news reporters present. The Horry
County Police Department’s body cams captured the racist statements and
threats to harm others. This abhorrent behavior has no place in a civilized
society!

South Carolina is one of two states in the nation without a law criminalizing
hate crime, due to the fact that the Hate Crime Bill, approved by the House
of Representatives, failed to pass in the Senate. The NAACP South Carolina
State Conference strongly urges the citizens of this State to join us as an
organization to ensure that our elected officials pass a “Hate Crime Law”
immediately!

No one should have to live in fear of their safety or be threatened and

terrorized by their neighbors. Brenda C. Murphy, President of the South
Carolina State Conference of the NAACP stated, “Black South Carolinians
have endured the indignity of a racially divisive society for far too long and
this is appalling that in 2023, we still have such hateful rhetoric and cross
burnings.” She is calling upon the Governor and the South Carolina General
Assembly to enact and implement a Hate Crime Bill for all South
Carolinians. President Murphy stated that “the NAACP South Carolina State
Conference is willing to work with local law enforcement, the Governor, and
Department of Justice to ensure the safety of this family and others.