Emotions ran high outside the Seminole County Courthouse after a jury found George Zimmerman not guilty of second-degree murder after more than 15 hours of deliberation.

Supporters for Trayvon Martin's family called for a nationwide protest, while Zimmerman supporters said the criminal justice system is in place for this reason: To allow a jury of one's peers make the decision as to whether or not a defendant should go to jail.

"There are no winners here," said William Memola, a Zimmerman supporter outside the courthouse Saturday night. "We were just here to seek justice, that it wouldn't be a race war, just that justice was served."

Many supporters of the Martin family said they still believe Zimmerman is guilty, and they did not see justice Saturday.

"This is a long legacy here in this country where some white person, or some 'other-than-African' person can kill an African and show up at a courthouse, walk through these halls of justice and get away scot-free, or with a slap on the wrist," said Life Malcom, a Trayvon Martin supporter.

With the tension so high following the controversial verdict, so was security. Officers from the Sanford Police Department, Seminole County Sheriff's Office and other nearby agencies covered the area around the courthouse and around Sanford to help keep the peace.

At the Goldsboro Welcome Center, in Sanford, director Frances Oliver said she thought the trial was fair, but the flaw was in the makeup of the jury, which she said was "stacked with white women."

Oliver said all week, people have expressed their feelings to her, but she has kept a close eye on this case and was pleased with what she saw in the courtroom.

"I have watched this trial from the beginning, all day, either home or at the Welcome Center," Oliver said. "I have not missed very much of this trial. I can say this has been a fair trial. I think everybody was treated fairly in this trial."

However, Oliver added having a jury of five white women from Seminole County reaching this verdict sends the wrong message to America.

As jurors deliberated Saturday afternoon, there was little understanding between two camps assembled to support Zimmerman and Martin outside the courthouse.

"He deserves some respect and appreciation," Casey David Kole Sr., 66, shouted about the former neighborhood watch leader who was later found not guilty of second-degree murder late Saturday night. "It's a tragedy."

Patricia Dalton, 60, yelled back: "It's a tragedy that could have been avoided!"

Dalton, like most of the 100 or so people at the courthouse, said she's there in support of the family of Trayvon Martin, the 17-year-old black teen from Miami who Zimmerman fatally shot last year.

The supporters stayed peaceful for most of the day until in the afternoon, when sheriff's deputies had to separate a Zimmerman supporter from a pro-Martin demonstrator after a heated exchange. There was no physical contact made and no one was arrested.

The atmosphere quickly cooled down. Two Orlando sisters, dressed in colorful African-print clothing and walking on stilts, sang "Lean on Me" with the crowd as a man strummed a banjo and people waved signs.

"We're just here for peace and love," said stilt walker Bambi Loketo.

Prosecutors and Trayvon Martin's family said Zimmerman profiled Martin because of the teen's race. Those allegations, and a 44-day delay before police arrested Zimmerman, sparked nationwide protests involving leading national civil rights leaders and spurred emotional debates about gun control, self-defense laws, race and equal justice under the law.

In Saturday's strong Central Florida sun, some people at the courthouse wore hoodies, as Martin had when he died. One woman lay in the grass, her arms spread, in a re-creation of Martin's death. Those in the smaller pro-Zimmerman camp held small signs, saying things like "We love you George" and "George got hit you must acquit."

Joseph Uy of Longwood was among an even smaller group: the few who said they had no opinion on whether Zimmerman was guilty. He said he came because he was "just curious."

"I'm neutral," he said, while cradling his three tiny Chihuahuas in his arms.

By mid-afternoon, people rallied in the heat and chanted slogans as a looming thundercloud threatened a downpour.

"Justice for Trayvon," some shouted. Others yelled, "Convict George Zimmerman."

Police and civic leaders have pleaded for calm in Sanford and across the country after the verdict.

"There is no party in this case who wants to see any violence," Seminole County Sheriff Don Eslinger said. "We have an expectation upon this announcement that our community will continue to act peacefully."