The picture of Leroy Smith, a black police chief from the South Carolina Department of Public Safety, who helped a man wearing a swastika t-shirt suffering from heatstroke during a Ku Klux Klan rally has gone viral.
Smith helped the man who was taking part in the KKK rally, to get some shade and medical attention. The man, who fell ill due to the intense heat which was about 95-97 Farenheit.
not an uncommon example of humanity in SC: Leroy Smith helps white supremacist to shelter & water as heat bears down. pic.twitter.com/GoF23r3mRe
— Rob Godfrey (@RobGodfrey) July 18, 2015
The photo was first posted on Twitter by user Rob Godfrey and was retweeted more than 2,000 times. Many people praised the action of Smith who showed compassion to the white man despite the rising hatred and bigotry.
@bijancbayne @RobG odfrey @robgreeneII This kindness chokes me up. How do SC people find that well of caring in the midst of so much hatred? — Elizabeth (@ElizabethQuaker) July 19, 2015
.@RobGodfrey @robgreeneII This is why smart folk say, "I haven't the energy to hate." — Bijan C. Bayne (@bijancbayne) July 18, 2015
@imraansiddiqi @RobGodfrey I hope he changes his ways after this episode of humanity at its finest. Well done to the police officer.
— Dan (@dan_o9o) July 19, 2015
Lets take a moment to respect and try to be more like this black police officer helping a KKK member with sun stroke. pic.twitter.com/qsztGcEMEH — Kyle Skoumal (@kyle_skoumal) July 19, 2015
The KKK rally was held in protest of the decision to take down the confederate flag, Washington's Top News reported.
While the photo is taken, several fights broke out during the rally but the police were quick to intervene. There were about five arrests and 23 people needed assistance due to the heat, The Independent reported.
The use of the Confederate flag had been a hot-button issue after white supremacist Dylann Roof shot nine people dead in a Charleston church last month.
