GRAND HAVEN TOWNSHIP, MI -- An Ottawa County diversity group is claiming that a Grand Haven area man's political statement -- a lawn chair hanging from a tree -- is racially insensitive and should be taken down.

Leaders of the Lakeshore Ethnic Diversity Alliance have scheduled a "community conversation" public meeting next Thursday at the Grand Haven Community Center to discuss the issue.

The lawn chair is suspended by a rope from a tree along Comstock Street near Peach Plain Elementary School and, according to the homeowner, is simply a take-off on Clint Eastwood's much-ballyhooed "empty chair rant" speech at the Republican National Convention where Eastwood was pretending to talk to President Barack Obama.

Ken David told the Grand Haven Tribune that the chair, accompanied by a sign that reads "Take Back Our Country in November," was only intended as a political statement and not as an ethnic affront.

But Diversity Alliance leaders say that if the chair represents President Obama, then hanging it by a rope is symbolic of lynching and has "strong racial implications."

Leaders with the Diversity Alliance say they approached David to explain the perception, but he has refused to take down the chair.

David told the Tribune that the chair is simply "freedom of expression" and not meant to be a racial attack.

The chair showed up in the front yard on Wednesday and someone with Peach Plains Elementary called the Diversity Alliance soon after to report the display. Ottawa County sheriff's deputies also reportedly spoke to David.

"We were contacted by a Peach Plains staff member with concerns about the hanging chairs across the street," Diversity Alliance Executive Director Gail Harrison said.

She believes a community meeting is in order.

"This community dialogue will provide an opportunity for the community to share concerns, identify ways to build a welcoming community, and discuss ideas on how to talk with their children," she said.

The "community conversation" is Thursday, 7-9 p.m., in the Escanaba Room at the Grand Haven Community Center.

E-mail John Tunison: jtunison@mlive.com and follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/johntunison