Man Holding ‘You Belong' Sing in Front of Irving Mosque Is Lauded After Photos Go Viral on Facebook

A man who held a sign reading "You belong" in front of the Islamic Center of Irving is being lauded on Facebook after photos of his act went viral.Justin Normand, a 53-year-old from Natchitoches, La., according to his Facebook, identified himself Monday as the man holding the sign. He said he manages a sign shop and has had the urge to "share peace with [his] neighbors" ever since the election.The sign reads, in full: "You belong. Stay strong. Be blessed. We are one America.""This was about binding up the wounded. About showing compassion and empathy for the hurting and fearful among us," Normand wrote in his Facebook post. "Or, in some Christian traditions, this was about washing my brother's feet. This was about my religion, not theirs."Normand's post had been shared more than 6,500 times by Tuesday afternoon, less than a day after he posted it Monday night.The sign maker said he's a Presbyterian and his act of compassion was a way to protect the American way of life."Targeting people for their religion not only threatens our way of life, it is the polar opposite of our way of life," Normand wrote.Nick Pelletier, director of outreach for the Islamic Center of Irving, came across Normand after praying at the mosque on Saturday.  Continue reading...