GRANDVILLE, Mich. -- A small crowd gathered Saturday afternoon to protest a local business owner's recent statements about not serving gay customers.
Brian Klawiter, owner of Dieseltec, wrote in a Facebook post a Facebook on Tuesday encouraging customers to bring guns into his shop but said he would not do business with openly gay individuals
“There’s a set of behavior rules in my place of business. I operate my life on Christian values, and for me to not take that into my business I think would be hypocritical,” Klawiter told FOX 17 in an interview on Wednesday.
Supporters on both sides were present outside of the diesel repair and performance shop located at 2875 Ottawa Avenue SW in Grandville. Some stood with signs in opposition, while others were there to stand in solidarity with the owner.
Following is Klawiter's Facebook posting:
"Enough is enough.
Our rights as conservative Americans are being squashed more and more everyday. Apparently if you are white (or close to it), you have a job, go to church, and own a gun... That translates into racists, privileged, bigot, conspiracy theorist. Too many of us say nothing. Well, freedom of speech isn't just for Liberals, THEY are the ones that need to learn to "co-exist", THEY are the ones who need to WORK to be "equal"
Therefore, in the spirit of freedom (whats left of it) and MY right to operate MY business as I see fit:
Guns ARE allowed at DIESELTEC, so much so in fact that we will offer a discount if you bring in your gun. ("On duty" cops are excluded because thats not their gun, thats my gun bought with my money, off duty absolutely!)
I am a Christian. My company will be run in a way that reflects that. Dishonesty, thievery, immoral behavior, etc. will not be welcomed at MY place of business. (I would not hesitate to refuse service to an openly gay person or persons. Homosexuality is wrong, period. If you want to argue this fact with me then I will put your vehicle together with all bolts and no nuts and you can see how that works.)
We, as a team, work hard for whats ours. We are not protected by unions or contracts. We absolutely MUST provide our customers with a service level that would make them come back or tell their friends about us. We don't have a "right", and we are not "entitled" to our pay. We must EARN it.
I am not racists, you are for assuming I am, however, I am really quick to judge... if it acts like a duck, and quacks like a duck...
It IS a free country and I support your right to your opinion, that being said, if you don't like what I have to say I reserve that same right to tell you to go cry to your momma (cause your daddy would probably smack ya', better yet, yes, go tell your dad.)"
