Sen. Tim Scott introduces anti-lynching bill on Friday

WASHINGTON, DC (WCSC) –

South Carolina Senator Tim Scott helped introduce an anti-lynching bill on Friday. 

Sen. Scott, along with Democratic senators Kamala Harris and Cory Booker, filed legislation that would make lynching a federal hate crime.

Lynching is defined as to put to death by mob action without legal approval or permission. 

According to the bill, nearly 200 anti-lynching bills were introduced in Congress during the first half of the 20th century. 

Booker, Harris and Scott serve as the only African-American members of the United States Senate.

In a statement, Sen. Scott said the bill is long overdue.

“This measure is certainly well past due and I am glad to be able to join in efforts that will underscore the severity of this crime,” Sen. Scott said. “This piece of legislation sends a message that together, as a nation, we condemn the actions of those that try to divide us with violence and hate.”

The bill states that at least 4,742 people were reported lynched in the United States between 1882 and 1968. The victims of which were predominantly African American. 

In 2005, members of the Senate issued an apology to the victims of lynching and the descendants of those victims for the failure of the Senate to pass anti-lynching legislation.