A group of around 45 protesters and nearly as many supporters gathered outside Grandville, Michigan auto shop Dieseltec on Saturday, the latest update in the ongoing controversy surrounding the owner Brian Klawiter’s now infamous declaration that he “would not hesitate to refuse service to an openly gay person or persons.”

MLive reports:

Saturday’s protest was organized by a Muskegon pastor, the Rev. Robert Teszlewicz.

Most of the protesters brought signs. Some read “Love Wins,” “God = Love,” “Stop Bigotry. Spend your dollars where all are welcome,” “Gay is OK,” and “Who are you to judge God’s children?”

Teszlewicz said he wanted the protest to be peaceful.

“I don’t think you can consider yourself a Christian and deny service to someone else,” he said. “If you’re going to call yourself a Christian, then you need to respond in a Christian way.”

Supporters of Klawiter, meanwhile, gathered at the auto shop on Saturday for a barbecue. “He’s got a right to his own opinion,” said Bob Smith. “He’s not violating the law.”

Watch protesters verbally clash with Klawiter supporters, AFTER THE JUMP…

Previously, “Bankruptcy Lawyer Pens Brilliant Open Letter Smackdown to Homophobic Michigan Auto Shop Owner” [tlrd]