Melissa Ross
A St. Johns County official says that controversial billboard in St. Augustine Beach denouncing Islam will stay, because it’s protected under the First Amendment.
An online petition demanding the removal of the billboard in St. Augustine Beach is gaining signatures worldwide. In fact, of the 24,000 plus signatures, only a few thousand are from here in Florida.
The billboard reads “Islam Bloody Islam: Doomed by Its Doctrine.”
Petition creator Becky Williams says she started the drive because “We should always stand up for those in our community who are shown hatred and intolerance. We should be outraged that a billboard with this message could in any way represent our community as a whole. It is of the utmost importance that we stand against messages and movements that isolate, judge and threaten an entire sect of people who share our same hometown.”
However, Michael Ryan, director of communications for St. Johns County, says the billboard, while bearing a controversial message that has caused offense, is protected under the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which guarantees the right to free speech.
Meanwhile, the billboard owner has declined on-camera interviews.
27 comments
Shak
April 11, 2016 at 3:40 pm
Take it down
Amal Awad
April 11, 2016 at 3:43 pm
Promoting more hate solves nothing. Who is the idiot behind this?
Screeminmeeme
April 15, 2016 at 10:22 am
When you love someone, you tell them the truth, even if it offends. The TRUTH is that Islam is a diabolical ideology perfectly suited to sadistic men who are searching for a ”spiritual” rationale to exercise their twisted proclivities. Islam’s objective for 1300 yrs has been world domination. Anyone who denies this has never read the Quran/hadith/Sira.
Farhad
April 11, 2016 at 3:46 pm
ITS SOO DISRESPECTFUL.
Kay Walker
April 11, 2016 at 4:35 pm
I agree that this Billboard is bigoted, inflammatory does not reflect the values of most Americans and legally might be a hate crime. It should be removed.
Screeminmeeme
April 15, 2016 at 10:12 am
So you don’t care about TRUTH? For 14 centuries Islam has been a scourge on mankind and millions of its savagely slaughtered victims prove it.
susan depace shaikh
April 11, 2016 at 4:35 pm
This sign is repugnant. We’re better than this!!!
Samira fetouh
April 11, 2016 at 7:18 pm
Islam is peace
Screeminmeeme
April 15, 2016 at 10:13 am
When Islam speaks of ”peace”, it is referring to the time when the entire world lies under the boot of shariah and law and there isn’t one infidel left. That’s a fact.
Latif Matt
April 11, 2016 at 7:29 pm
So called “free speech” must have limits. This billboard is unacceptable.
Screeminmeeme
April 15, 2016 at 10:15 am
Spoken like a true advocate of political correctness and hate-speech laws. TRUTH is the enemy of Islam which is why so much effort is expended by Muslim apologists in spreading disinformation and propaganda.
Shams Khan
April 11, 2016 at 9:06 pm
Take down this hate mongering billboard……
Screeminmeeme
April 15, 2016 at 10:17 am
Obviously you think people should be kept from knowing the truth about Islam. Its 14 century bloody history reflects its depraved teachings found in the Quran/haddith/Sira
FS
April 12, 2016 at 9:51 am
St. Augustine is a beautiful place with beautiful people, this is not reflective of the character of such a great place. Please take down this billboard!
Shehla Zia
April 12, 2016 at 11:41 am
Please spread love not hate
Screeminmeeme
April 15, 2016 at 10:20 am
What you really mean is spread lies and suppress the TRUTH about Islam. There are many Americans who have seriously studied Islam and know exactly what its teaches. It’s a totalitarian ideology camouflaged in the garb and rhetoric of religion, and characterized by hegemony, misogyny, pederasty, and genocide. Those are the facts.
Meena
April 12, 2016 at 12:15 pm
Put it down.
Fazeelat
April 13, 2016 at 1:36 pm
Islam is religion of piece
mahwish f
April 13, 2016 at 7:43 pm
Please remove this billboard..
Glenn Magee
April 14, 2016 at 10:09 pm
The billboard has nothing negative to say about Muslims, only the doctrine of Islam. In this regard it is 100% accurate.
Raymod
April 16, 2016 at 12:17 am
Its really not about being hateful or racist. Just with all the islamic terrorist wanting nothing but death to America. Its suicide to let any muslims n my country at this present day.No racism at all, but the refugees my frienf is a trojam horse for isis.
Look at Europe? ?
Raymod
April 16, 2016 at 12:20 am
My friend the refugees r a trojan horse for isis i ment to say
Ed
April 16, 2016 at 9:06 am
I copied these direct quotes from Becky William ‘s petition.
“No one should be forced to see this offensive message”. Keep your eyes on the highway. Distracted driving is one of the biggest causes of accidents.
“We should always stand up for those in our community who are shown hatred and intolerance.” Do you not realize that Muslims show “hatred and intolerance” to non-Muslims?
“This billboard is not representative of how the people in St. Augustine feel about our Muslim neighbors.” Where are your statistics to prove what the opinions of the locals are?
“It is of the utmost importance that we join together in standing against messages and movements that isolate, judge, and threaten an entire community of people who share our same hometown.” If you’ve ever turned on your TV anytime in the past 15 years(since about 09-11-01), then you should know that Muslims are the one of the biggest threats to civilization. Muslims “isolate, judge, and threaten” all of the people who are outside Islam. Woman, just where is your loyalty at? Do you know why our US Marines are called Leathernecks? Probably not, just research it and find out.
Ed
April 16, 2016 at 9:08 am
I copied these direct quotes from Becky William’s petition.
“No one should be forced to see this offensive message”. Keep your eyes on the highway. Distracted driving is one of the biggest causes of accidents.
“We should always stand up for those in our community who are shown hatred and intolerance.” Do you not realize that Muslims show “hatred and intolerance” to non-Muslims?
“This billboard is not representative of how the people in St. Augustine feel about our Muslim neighbors.” Where are your statistics to prove what the opinions of the locals are?
“It is of the utmost importance that we join together in standing against messages and movements that isolate, judge, and threaten an entire community of people who share our same hometown.” If you’ve ever turned on your TV anytime in the past 15 years (since about 09-11-01), then you should know that Muslims are the one of the biggest threats to civilization. Muslims “isolate, judge, and threaten” all of the people who are outside Islam. Woman, just where is your loyalty at? Do you know why our US Marines are called Leathernecks? Probably not, so just research it and find out.
Carl
April 17, 2016 at 2:56 am
Sign the counter-PETITION to KEEP UP THE BILLBOARD!
DEMAND the PROTECTION of our 1st Amendment RIGHT TO FREE SPEECH and to state FACTUAL information and TRUTH! KEEP THE BILLBOARD UP!
SHARE THE F out of this and let’s show those damn Muslims what America is all about! You will NOT change our way of life here in the United States! Forever will our right to FREE SPEECH EXIST! Leave if you don’t like it!
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/217/635/508/#sign
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