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Associated Press - November 24, 2009 7:15 AM ET
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) - An FBI report says the number of hate crimes in South Carolina increased last year, compared with 2007.
The State reported Tuesday that FBI figures show there were 153 hate crimes in South Carolina in 2008, up from 127 the previous year.
A hate crime is motivated by a bias against someone's race, religious views, sexual orientation, gender or disability.
The report says hate crimes motivated by race, religion or sexual orientation increased in South Carolina last year. Police agencies contributing to the report cited 89 crimes motivated by race, 27 by religion and 22 by sexual orientation.
South Carolina does not have a law on hate crimes in addition to the action involved. Police departments, sheriff's offices and other agencies voluntarily report hate crimes to the FBI.
Information from: The State, http://www.thestate.com
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