FORT WALTON BEACH — With a smile on every face, some 50 protesters pressed to the edge of the sidewalk Saturday as they waved and chanted at cars passing on Beal Parkway.
Their signs calling for the end to racism and the spread of love almost covered up the signs they were protesting against.
Signs posted on Larry Ford’s property near the corner of Yancey Drive have raised eyebrows for several years for what many people say are racist messages. A one-woman protest by Melanie Alexander in December helped spark Saturday’s gathering.
“This is a different way of bringing unity,” said Mikey Noechel, one of the protest’s organizers.
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Armed with signs, flags, a bullhorn and their voices, protesters coaxed honks, peace signs and waves from motorists.
There also were a few negative reactions. A few protesters recalled seeing a thumb-down sign and an unintelligible remark from a passing pickup truck.
Attempts to reach Ford on Saturday were unsuccessful.
Sarah Velverton said she was surprised to see so many positive reactions from residents. Ford has a right to post the signs, Velverton said, but she also had a right to make her voice heard.
“They make me sick,” Velverton said of the signs. “I have four kids and I want them to grow up in a community without hate.”
Dawn Heald wanted to combat the signs’ negativity. She thought it was important to bring her two daughters, 8-year-old Genny and 13-year-old Mary, along Saturday.
“I hope that they take that they can make their voices loud,” Heald said. “The only way to change it is to voice your opinion.”
Friends Cay Burton and Carol Dorsey decided to attend the protest together. The world needs more love and peace, not those signs, Burton said.
“Hate is illogical,” Dorsey said, quoting a sign featuring the “Star Trek” character Mr. Spock.
“How do you argue with love? How do you argue with Spock?”
Daily News Staff Writer Lauren Delgado can be reached at 850-315-4445 or ldelgado@nwfdailynews.com. Follow her on Twitter @LaurenDnwfdn.