GRANDVILLE, MI - A Muskegon pastor plans to protest Saturday, April 18, outside of Dieseltec, where owner Brian Klawiter has ignited passions by telling gays they are not welcome at his auto shop.

The Rev. Robert Teszlewicz plans to hold a peaceful demonstration from noon to 2 p.m.

At the same time, Klawiter will be across the street at his shop, firing up the grill so that "we can enjoy a sunny afternoon together with our guns, our God, our freedom," he wrote in a Facebook post.

His post earlier this week, in which he said openly gay customers were not welcome at his shop, created controversy on the Internet.

The back of Brian Klawiter's shirt on Friday.

Neither side expects problems but Grandville Police Chief Dan Steere said police will be monitoring the situation to make sure there is no trouble.

He and Deputy Chief Paul Anglim met Friday, April 17, with Klawiter inside his shop at 2985 Ottawa Ave. SW.

Steere said he planned to meet with protesters, too.

"We have to be pro-active, reach out to all the parties to make sure this is a peaceful event," he said, after meeting with Klawiter.

"Our job is public safety for all of the parties concerned. Express their views and keep it a peaceful event."

Steere said police will show no favoritism for either side. He would not divulge police plans for the protest.

Steere also said that he spoke to Klawiter about concerns that callers and Internet posters have threatened him, his business and family. Klawiter did not want to file any reports, the chief said.

Klawiter, who spoke to MLive and The Grand Rapids Press at length on Thursday, refused to comment Friday because stories have focused on him, rather than threatening posts and calls he has received.

He said those who disagree with his views have tried to destroy his business, and have tied up company phone lines with vulgarities and threats.

He allowed a photograph to be taken of the back of his T-shirt, but, after several minutes speaking privately, he suddenly told a reporter to leave.

He posted on Facebook: "Listen up folks, If you have an opposing view to mine that IS OK, what is NOT OK is threats to kill me, my family, and friends; threats to burn down my shop and my home. I will stand firm on my views and will not back down."

Teszlewicz, in a Facebook post of his own, said he did not hate Klawiter for his views and wishes him no harm.

"He has taken a stand that based on his views of Christianity he has a right to not serve 'openly gay' persons. However, based on my views of Christianity, I maintain that he does not have this right. Therefore I will be peacefully protesting so that his view is not the only one that is in the media. Even if I had no religious views at all, I still believe it is wrong in our great Nation to deprive a select group of people services and equal treatment."

John Agar covers crime for MLive/Grand Rapids Press E-mail John Agar: jagar@mlive.com and follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/ReporterJAgar