Kwadjo Campbell & Wendell Gilliard - Enemies of The State: Targeted for surveillance by South Carolina Law Enforcement for defending the rights of African-Americans for Fair and Equal Justice

Kwadjo Campbell, a teacher of the year winner, Marine Corps Desert Storm war veteran, and CEO of JC & Associates, an economic, planning, and political development firm, say’s “It is unfair to criminalize me because I am defending the victims of racism. It reminds me of the lessons I learned at the College of Charleston where the FBI had Civil Rights leaders under surveillance, and spread lies and propaganda in order to discredit them.”

Wendell Gilliard, a State Representative fighting to have this state pass a Hate Crime Bill says, “We should be moving forward together, but instead we have these reactionary voices from the past still implementing tactics that foster division.”

Kwadjo & Wendell were under surveillance by Law Enforcement because they stood up to the Charleston County Sheriff and Solicitor by calling for justice in the murder of Jamal Sutherland.

Sutherland was murdered at the hands of Charleston County jail officers, and the issue was being swept under the rug as local authorities feared a repeat reaction of Charleston’s response to George Floyd. They feared disruption of their local economy, still rebounding from the impact of Covid 19.

It seems that standing up for justice when a Black man is murdered by law enforcement in South Carolina makes you an Enemy of the State.

Questioning the murder of Black people in South Carolina by Police should not get you investgated and targeted by a secret unit of South Carolina Law Enforcement.

They did it to Dr. King, Malcolm X, Marcus Garvey, Stockley Carmichael, Paul Robinson, Muhammad Ali. In fact, anyone who stands up for the rights of Black People is in danger of being destroyed and discredited. Such is the price paid by the messengers who expose racism.

Kwadjo and Wendell are demanding the release of all information gathered by law enforcement as it relates to their work in uplifting the community economically, socially, culturally, and politically. They are also asking Sheriff Graziano for a face to face meeting to discuss the matter. They are also seeking legal advice to see if any constitutional violations occurred during this clandestine surveillance operation.

SCLBC Chair Rep. Patricia Henegan issued the following comments on the report that the Charleston County Sheriff's office labeling leaders and activists "security threats" by a surveillance unit.


“I am outraged and deeply troubled by the report that the Charleston County Sheriff's Office labeled peaceful, law-abiding leaders of our state as security threats. At best—the actions of the Sheriff’s office reveal a prejudice against these community leaders because of their willingness to advocate for fairness and justice for Black South Carolinians and, therefore, for all South Carolinians. At their worst— the actions of the Sheriff’s Office are a dangerous and unwarranted assault upon the rights of those whom they should be protecting.

Furthermore, the surveillance of Rep. Gilliard and activists demands an immediate investigation by SLED into the Charleston County Sheriff Department's Surveillance Units and processes.

Throughout Rep. Gilliard’s distinguished career in public service, he has stood for the equal treatment and rights of our state's working people, including all races, colors, and ethnic groups.

Rep. Gilliard loves Charleston and Charlestonians. He has been a tremendous leader and voice for Charleston, particularly Black Americans, whose mistreatment has been documented and reported throughout our country’s history. He has dedicated his work to unite our state behind the God-given rights for all South Carolinians to have justice, fairness, and equal protection from law enforcement.

Rep. Gilliard has worked to pass laws that have helped make law enforcement more accountable to all taxpayers of our state.

The South Carolina Legislative Black Caucus stands in complete support of Rep. Gilliard and activists targeted in this operation by the Charleston County Sheriff's Department.

We will work to hold those responsible accountable.”