Leroy Smith, the black director of South Carolina's public safety agency who was photographed last week helping an elderly Ku Klux Klan protestor suffering from heatstroke, said Monday that he was surprised the photo went viral. But now that it has, he is hoping it will serve as a catalyst for people to work toward overcoming hate and violence.
Leroy Smith said in a statement that the photo, taken at a Ku Klux Klan rally, captured "who we are in South Carolina" and represents what law enforcement is all about: helping people "regardless of the person's skin color, nationality or beliefs," according to AP.
"I consider myself like every other officer who was out there braving the heat on Saturday to preserve and protect," he said.
The photo, taken by Gov. Nikki Haley's spokesman, shows Smith leading the unidentified man – who is suffering from heatstroke during a Ku Klux Klan rally – to shade at the top of the Statehouse steps, to be treated by local emergency workers, according to the Toronto Sun.
The KKK rally was held in protest of the decision to take down the confederate flag.
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
What makes this photo so powerful is the fact that Smith ignored color and race to go above and beyond the call of duty in aiding someone who was defending a symbol that once challenged Smith's existence as an individual, according to Examiner.
"I hope this photo will be a catalyst for people to work to overcome some of the hatred and violence we have seen in our country in recent weeks," Smith said.
