'Emancipation' Producer Joey McFarland Issues Apology After Bringing Photo of Enslaved Man to Premiere

Joey McFarland, one of the producers on Will Smith‘s new movie, Emancipation, is apologizing.

Earlier this week, the producer had brought a photograph of the former slave, who was known as “Whipped Peter,” to the premiere.

The man, whose fight for freedom and his family is chronicled in the film, and served as much of the inspiration of the movie.

Will actually plays Peter, whose name was actually Gordon, according to America’s Black Holocaust Museum, in the movie.

However, after facing criticism over it, is apologizing for bringing it.

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Joey had shown the photo during an interview with Variety on the red carpet.

“I have the photo. This is the original photograph from 1863,” he said. “I wanted a piece of Peter to be here tonight.”

Here’s his apology:

“I wholeheartedly apologize to everyone I have offended by bringing a photograph of Peter to the ‘Emancipation’ premiere,” he wrote in a note on his Instagram. “My intent was to honor this remarkable man and to remind the general public that his image not only brought about change in 1863 but still resonates and promotes change today.”

“I hope my actions didn’t distract from the film’s message, Peter’s story and just how much impact he had on the world,” the apology continued. “Throughout the research and development of Emancipation, I discovered photographs of overlooked and historically important individuals whose stories also needed to be told. One photograph, of Martin Delaney, is on loan to the National Portrait Gallery and currently on exhibit. My plan was always to donate the photographs to the appropriate institution, in consultation with the community, and I believe there is no better time to begin that process than now.”