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

Rob Godfrey / Twitter

SOUTH CAROLINA IN the US is going through a period of heightened racial turmoil at present.

After the shooting dead of nine black churchgoers in the city of Charleston last month, with white supremacist Dylann Roof arrested and facing charges for the crime, things look a little bit bleak in the state at a time of pronounced racial tension nationwide.

Which makes this particular photo especially remarkable.

At a supremacist rally in the city of Columbia in the state over the weekend Rob Godfrey, deputy chief of staff to governor Nikki Haley, took a snap of an aging supremacist, who was suffering discomfort in the sun, being led to the shade by black police officer Leroy Smith.

Note the swastika on the older man’s t-shirt.

The rally was being held by the North Carolina-based Loyal White Knights of the Ku Klux Klan to protest the removal of the Confederate flag, seen as a symbol of white supremacy, from the state’s courthouse. Some 2,000 people attended.

The image has swiftly gone viral, with Smith’s actions seen as an ultimate example of human kindness in the face of adversity.

Props to Officer Leroy Smith for fighting racism in the classiest, most dignified way possible.
— Aliah (@AliahXtine) July 20, 2015

Alicia Hardin / Twitter

Helping out someone, that you know, hates you with a passion. Very honorable, sir! #LeroySmith #ServeandProtect https://t.co/eH0Sp0Xgs9
— Thomas O. 📢 (@tomigoldnet) July 19, 2015

Thomas O / Twitter

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Pretty sure if the situation had been reverse the white supremacist would've left the black man sweltering in the heat. Kudos to #LeroySmith
— Annette Williams 🤓 (@ShaunLuvsBooks) July 20, 2015

Annette Williams / Twitter

Read: What is the Confederate flag and why is it still flying?

Read: Barack Obama delivers rousing eulogy for those killed in hate crime

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