Case Explained:This article breaks down the legal background, charges, and implications of Case Explained: Man’s arrest over threats renews SC hate crimes law discussion – Legal Perspective
Chabad Center of Natick’s celebrates Hannukah
The Chabad Center of Natick hosts its menorah lighting after an attack on Jewish people in Australia that killed 16 people.
- An Easley man was arrested by federal agents for making violent threats online, including a mass shooting.
- The incident has brought renewed focus on South Carolina being one of only two states without a hate crime law.
- Local leaders and community members say the lack of a state law leaves minority groups vulnerable.
The arrest of an Easley man federal authorities said made violent threats online has prompted renewed calls for a hate crimes law in South Carolina.
Federal agents arrested Lucas Rousso on Dec. 16 after he reportedly threatened to commit a mass shooting and carry out violence against Jewish people. Authorities said Rousso made the threats in videos posted on YouTube between June 18 and Dec. 12. He was charged with making threatening communications online and will appear for a hearing at 10 a.m., Dec. 19 at the Carroll A Campbell Jr. Courthouse in Greenville.
Elliot McCarthy, a spiritual leader at Temple B’Nai Israel in Spartanburg, said the incident underscores the need for state lawmakers to enact a hate crime law. South Carolina and Wyoming are the only two states without such a law.
“It’s a shame it’s taking this long for there to be one,” McCarthy said. “I think that’s a critical stage in protecting our minority communities, not just Jews, but Muslims, Hindus and racial minorities.”
While the state lacks a hate crime law, Greenville was the second city in South Carolina to enact a hate crime ordinance, following Charleston, which was the first to adopt such a measure. Spartanburg adopted an ordinance on Oct. 13.
Other municipalities across the state have passed similar ordinances, including Arcadia Lakes, Beaufort, Bluffton, Camden, Cayce, Charleston, Chester, Clemson, Conway, Florence, Gaffney, Georgetown, Hardeeville, Isle of Palms, Irmo, Lake City, Mount Pleasant, Myrtle Beach, North Charleston, Orangeburg, Summerville and Wellford.
“The fact that we don’t have one on the state level is astounding. I don’t think the law would prevent these comments from happening, but they would provide the latitude for law enforcement and legal authorities to pursue people within the bounds of state law,” McCarthy said.
State Rep. Wendell Jones, D-Greenville, said the absence of hate crime laws deter employers and job seekers from coming to the state over concerns about potential discrimination.
“If you don’t see it as a moral issue, let’s see it financially. I can see it causing us some difficulties in retaining some of our younger people. They’re looking for places to go where they feel a little bit more accepted, so we end up having some brain drain,” Jones said.
Anti-Semitic impacts on a community
McCarthy said threats like those allegedly made by Rousso are taken seriously because of incidents such as the attack on Jews in Australia where 15 people were killed on first night of Hanukkah. McCarthy added that rising political tensions have heightened concerns and increased calls for protection across vulnerable communities.
“It makes people in our community who are peace-loving and wonderful feel unsafe. Those online words often inspire others to take real-world actions offline,” McCarthy said.
Courtney Tessler, chief executive officer of the Jewish Federation of Upstate South Carolina, said the recent attack in Australia and the arrest of Rousso have put many members of the Jewish community on heightened alert.
“You never want to think things like this could be so close to home, but unfortunately, things happen everywhere,” Tessler said.
She said confronting antisemitism requires open conversation and the courage to speak out.
“We need to be vigilant but not step back, showing up as a community. That’s how we fight antisemitism, by being our Jewish selves and changing perspectives by having conversations,” Tessler said.
The lack of a hate crime law gives South Carolina a black eye, Jones said, and lawmakers need to do their best to show hate isn’t accepted.
“It would be an incredible message to our people who are here, but it also sends a message to those who are considering making South Carolina their home. It shows that this is a safe place to raise your kids. It’s a place where, regardless of your age, your religious belief, you can create a safe home.”