ST. AUGUSTINE – Sending a message of love and solidarity, peaceful protesters in St. Augustine, Florida, have stood with Muslim neighbors against controversial “Islam Bloody Islam” billboard, as a reaction to the billboard’s intolerant words.

“The point is to show whoever put up this sign that we are united and that no one can spread hate among us,” Ayman El-Sawa, 51, a member of the Islamic Center, told Jacksonville.com on Monday, April 25.

The rally was organized by Compassionate St. Augustine and the Islamic Center.

Appearing in the rally, protesters wearing bright peace-sign T-shirts posed together for a group photo.

“This photo means that all these people are against the message of this billboard,” said 12-year-old Ibrahim Zori.

“It’s very hateful and it’s a terrible representation of our town.”

St. Augustine Beach Commissioner Andrea Samuels joined the demonstration to support its cause.

“I think it registers with the community that any form of intolerance will not be tolerated,” Samuels said.

The controversial billboard gained international attention after local resident Becky Williams created a petition on Care2’s petition website to show support for the Muslim community and defend the voice of St. Augustine.

It is unclear who paid to have the message posted as company and billboard owner Robert Harry Jr. did not respond to interview requests.

The petition has rallied nearly 54,000 signatures from supporters all over the world.

“This isn’t who we are,” Williams said.

For Williams, the existence of the billboard does not matter anymore after the community showed an overwhelming sense of unity.

“It’s just amazing having the momentum of everyone being able to have a voice,” Williams said.

“And it’s a voice louder than this visual image.”