SPARTANBURG, S.C. —

A hate crime ordinance moved closer to becoming law in an Upstate city.

The move would amend Spartanburg's laws, allowing someone to be prosecuted for a hate crime. City council's chambers were packed as some voiced their support and some voiced concerns about that ordinance.

The ordinance would let prosecutors add an additional charge to someone who was already charged with a separate crime if they believe that the original crime was committed to harm someone based on a number of different ethnic, cultural, and religious identities.

For over an hour, people spoke to city council about the ordinance.

"A hate crimes bill creates a class of people that are to be protected. The Constitution says we are all equal under the law, and we all should be protected by the Con

See Full Page