South Carolina’s leading cities have systemically embedded diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives into their master plans, sparking outcry from top officials.
Columbia, Charleston, Greenville, and Spartanburg are among the cities that have incorporated extensive DEI measures into foundational blueprints, including economic development, safety, transportation, housing, cultural, police, and fire department plans, according to an investigation by the Washington Examiner.
Upon reviewing those measures, several South Carolina lawmakers, including Rep. Ralph Norman (R-SC), who is campaigning to become the state’s next governor, are speaking out, saying DEI has “no place” in the state. South Carolina Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette, also a GOP gubernatorial candidate, has added her voice to the fray, arguing that such policies are “dangerous and undermine public safety.” And the Justice Department said it is on “high alert,” warning that “DEI initiatives, such as these in South Carolina, risk violating citizens’ constitutional protections of fairness and equal treatment under the law.”…