Rep. Wendell Gilliard On Passage of The Clementa C. Pinckney Hate Crimes Bill

“The Opposite of love is not hate, it’s indifference. The opposite of art is not ugliness, it’s indifference. The opposite of faith is not heresy, it’s indifference. And the oppostie of life is not death, it’s indifference.” - Elie Wiesel

Today, the South Carolina House of Representatives chose to NOT be indifferent.

Today, in a statement of bipartisan commitment to respect for the the inherent worth and Human dignity of all people, the South Carolina House of Representative Judiciary Committee voted to recommend the passage of H. 3014, the Clementa C. Pinckney Hate Crimes Bill. The vote was 20 in favor, 3 not voting, and only 1 opposed. H. 3014 will now be scheduled for a vote by the full House where we hope for its quick passage and equally strong bipartisan support.

I applaud the swift action taken by the House Judiciary Committee and thank its leadership and members for their strong affirmation that South Carolina is a place where the rights to life and to freedom from harm and abuse for all people are protected.