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'If I were KKK, would I hold you like this?' Viral photo shows peace amid monument controversy

The Virginia Flaggers SOURCE: The Virginia Flaggers
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'If I were KKK, would I hold you like this?' Viral photo shows peace amid monument controversy
A photo showing a defender of Confederate statues embracing a Black Lives Matter supporter is going viral. Tensions throughout the country have been high after a rally in Charlottesville, Virginia turned deadly. The online hacker group Anonymous put out a threat that called on people to tear down 11 monuments in southern and border states at 5 p.m. Friday.The Virginia Flaggers, a group that is committed to defending Confederate monuments and memorials, stationed "Monument Guards" around a monument in Lynchburg in response to the threat. Near the end of the day, someone captured a moving moment between two people with opposing views. "Late in the evening, one of the Monument Guards noticed this woman, who later identified as a Black Lives Matter supporter, trembling and shaking with fear. He said he could tell she honestly feared them. He walked up to her, arms outstretched, said 'we are not KKK' and she grabbed him and wouldn't let go. He explained that they were here to stop all of this and prevent another Charlottesville," the post read, in part. "He said 'If I were KKK would I hold you like this and she said 'No.'"The image has been shared nearly 4,000 times. "It serves as a reminder to all of us that God can use the most troubling times to shine light and truth, even in near darkness," the post finished. On the Virginia Flaggers website it states: "The Va Flaggers reject any person or group whose actions tarnish or bring dishonor upon the Confederate soldier or his reason for fighting, including those groups and persons using our cherished flag as a symbol for their own dishonorable purposes."

A photo showing a defender of Confederate statues embracing a Black Lives Matter supporter is going viral.

Tensions throughout the country have been high after a rally in Charlottesville, Virginia turned deadly. The online hacker group Anonymous put out a threat that called on people to tear down 11 monuments in southern and border states at 5 p.m. Friday.

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The Virginia Flaggers, a group that is committed to defending Confederate monuments and memorials, stationed "Monument Guards" around a monument in Lynchburg in response to the threat.

Near the end of the day, someone captured a moving moment between two people with opposing views.

"Late in the evening, one of the Monument Guards noticed this woman, who later identified as a Black Lives Matter supporter, trembling and shaking with fear. He said he could tell she honestly feared them. He walked up to her, arms outstretched, said 'we are not KKK' and she grabbed him and wouldn't let go. He explained that they were here to stop all of this and prevent another Charlottesville," the post read, in part. "He said 'If I were KKK would I hold you like this and she said 'No.'"

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The image has been shared nearly 4,000 times.

"It serves as a reminder to all of us that God can use the most troubling times to shine light and truth, even in near darkness," the post finished.

On the Virginia Flaggers website it states: "The Va Flaggers reject any person or group whose actions tarnish or bring dishonor upon the Confederate soldier or his reason for fighting, including those groups and persons using our cherished flag as a symbol for their own dishonorable purposes."