One of the weekend's first protests over the death of George Floyd kicked off on Saturday in front of the Adam Clayton Powell Jr. State Office Building on 125th Street in Harlem.
And Harlem-based documentary and travel photographer Sofia Verzbolovskis was there to capture the scene.
"The systemic racism in this country is atrocious, and staying silent is not an option so of course I felt it was important to be there," she wrote in a message to The Curious Uptowner, who asked Verzbolovskis for more details about the striking image she posted on Instagram over the weekend.
"He conveys so much power and strength."
"The photo was taken at around 1:15pm. I had arrived about 30 minutes prior, just as the speeches had started on 125th and Adam Clayton Powell Blvd," continued Verzbolovskis, who says she always shoots with her Canon 5D Mark IV in manual mode.
"As I was listening, I turned and saw this man (whom I unfortunately do not know) standing in front of this iconic Harlem building [the Hotel Theresa]. He conveys so much power and strength."
