(Photo Credit: Getty Images) 
 
 Jesse Jackson has decided to weigh in on the inflammatory comments that Phil Robertson made to GQ about gays and African Americans. 
 
 In an interview with Drew Magary, the "Duck Dynasty" star said the Nazis needed Jesus, that he never saw the mistreatment of African Americans while growing up in Louisiana before the civil rights era and that homosexuality was a sin. 
 
 A&E; has already suspended Robertson, but Reverend Jackson, his Rainbow PUSH Coalition and GLAAD are demanding to meet with network execs, along with Cracker Barrel's CEO, to discuss the future of all "Duck Dynasty" memorabilia or content. 
 
 Read: Phil Robertson Defends Anti-Gay Comments: 'All I Did Was Quote From The Scriptures' 
 
 "These statements uttered by Robertson are more offensive than the bus driver in Montgomery, Alabama, more than 59 years ago," Jackson said in a statement obtained by ABC News. 
 
 "At least the bus driver, who ordered Rosa Parks to surrender her seat to a white person, was following state law. Robertson's statements were uttered freely and openly without cover of the law, within a context of what he seemed to believe was 'white privilege.'" 
 
 The release, dated Dec. 23, requests a meeting within 72 hours with A&E; and Cracker Barrel execs and urges the network to uphold Robertson's suspension. 
 
 Jackson and GLAAD said they believe it's not right for a personality with such a large platform to benefit from such comments. 
 
 Related: 'Duck Dynasty' Suspends Phil Robertson 
 
 On Sunday, Robertson defended his comments about gays and blacks to a small Bible study group in West Monroe, La. 
 
 "I will not give or back off from my path," he reportedly said Sunday. 
 
 Robertson added that his GQ comments were quotes from the Bible. "I didn't think much of it at all, but it seems a lot of other people did," he said. 
 
 EDITOR'S NOTE: ABC is a part owner of the A&E; Network" ||||| Phil Robertson, the patriarch of A&E's Duck Dynasty clan who was suspended from his hit reality series on Dec. 18 following some incendiary comments about gay people, won't be put on hiatus after all. 
 
 
 
 The network and the Robertson family announced Friday that Phil will still be part of the series -- and since he didn't miss any filming, his temporary suspension will have no effect on the upcoming fifth season. 
 
 An A&E statement to The Hollywood Reporter read: 
 
 
 
 As a global media content company, A+E Networks' core values are centered around creativity, inclusion and mutual respect. We believe it is a privilege for our brands to be invited into people's homes, and we operate with a strong sense of integrity and deep commitment to these principles. 
 
 
 
 That is why we reacted so quickly and strongly to a recent interview with Phil Robertson. While Phil's comments made in the interview reflect his personal views based on his own beliefs and his own personal journey, he and his family have publicly stated they regret the "coarse language" he used and the misinterpretation of his core beliefs based only on the article. He also made it clear he would "never incite or encourage hate." We at A+E Networks expressed our disappointment with his statements in the article and reiterate that they are not views we hold. 
 
 
 
 But Duck Dynasty is not a show about one man's views. It resonates with a large audience because it is a show about family … a family that America has come to love. As you might have seen in many episodes, they come together to reflect and pray for unity, tolerance and forgiveness. These are three values that we at A+E Networks also feel strongly about. 
 
 
 
 So after discussions with the Robertson family, as well as consulting with numerous advocacy groups, A&E has decided to resume filming Duck Dynasty later this spring with the entire Robertson family. 
 
 
 
 We will also use this moment to launch a national public service campaign (PSA) promoting unity, tolerance and acceptance among all people, a message that supports our core values as a company and the values found in Duck Dynasty. These PSAs will air across our entire portfolio. 
 
 
 
 In addition, an A&E source says the family and the network are going to work together to promote tolerance. 
 
 Robertson's comments in GQ magazine, which included the 67-year-old likening homosexuality to "bestiality," prompted an almost immediate announcement from A&E. 
 
 PHOTOS: 'Duck Dynasty,' Matthew McConaughey, 'Breaking Bad' and THR's Rule Breakers of 2013 
 
 
 
 "We are extremely disappointed to have read Phil Robertson's comments in GQ, which are based on his own personal beliefs and are not reflected in the series Duck Dynasty," read a network statement at the time. "His personal views in no way reflect those of A+E Networks, who have always been strong supporters and champions of the LGBT community. The network has placed Phil under hiatus from filming indefinitely." 
 
 
 
 A&E's swift reaction to the comments, praised by some, prompted objections from many fans of the show. Prior to his reinstatement, a petition started by Christian fans gathered north of 200,000 signatures demanding he be put back on the series. The organizers of the petition, IStandWithPhil.com, praised his reinstatement, though questioned if their voices had been heard. 
 
 “Despite our celebration, we remain uncertain of A&E's true intent. Today, in the network’s statement of their core values – centered on ‘creativity, inclusion, and mutual respect’ - Faith Driven Consumers are left wondering whether A&E considers us to be a part of America's rich rainbow of diversity," said a satement from Chris Stone, founder of Faith Driven Consumer. “Do they also now embrace the biblically based values and worldview held by the Robertson family and millions of Faith Driven Consumers?" 
 
 GLAAD issued its own reaction to Robertson's reinstatement: "Phil Robertson should look African American and gay people in the eyes and hear about the hurtful impact of praising Jim Crow laws and comparing gay people to terrorists. If dialogue with Phil is not part of next steps then A+E has chosen profits over African American and gay people – especially its employees and viewers." 
 
 Robertson and the rest of his family have stood by the controversial comments that prompted the media furor, putting the future of A&E's top-rated series in question. 
 
 
 
 On Sunday, Robertson delivered a sermon at his West Monroe, La., church. "I will not give or back off from my path," he told the crowd -- though he did seem to soften a bit, adding, "I love all men and women. I am a lover of humanity, not a hater." 
 
 
 
 The political fallout has also been significant. Following initial calls to action from GLAAD, people from both sides of the political spectrum have weighed in on Robertson's comments and suspension. It's been a popular topic of debate on Fox News, and Louisiana's Gov. Bobby Jindal was among the first to come to Robertson's defense. 
 
 PHOTOS: 'Duck Dynasty's' Phil Robertson and Other Stars Who've Made Anti-Gay Remarks 
 
 
 
 The Robertsons' somewhat vague initial reaction to Phil's removal -- "We cannot imagine the show going forward without our patriarch at the helm" -- prompted many to suggest that the cast would not continue filming. But the Robertsons also recently re-signed to stay on board A&E's top-rated series. After settling a months-long salary standoff in August, A&E signed the entire Robertson clan to a multiyear deal worth more than $200,000 per episode. 
 
 
 
 For its part, A&E did little else in the wake of Robertson's comments beyond the initial suspension. Encores of the series have continued to air, including a marathon on Christmas Day. Canceling or delaying the Jan. 15 season-five premiere never seemed to be on the table. 
 
 
 
 Duck Dynasty is a huge asset for A&E. In addition to being the top-rated reality program on cable, second across all of cable to only The Walking Dead with an average 13.4 million viewers and 7.6 million adults 18-49 in live-plus-7 ratings, Duck Dynasty has multiple brand tie-ins. Duck Dynasty gear is available in retailers across the U.S., including Walmart, Sears and Cracker Barrel restaurants. 
 
 
 
 The entire Robertson family has been on hiatus for duck hunting season, a contractual stipulation, which continues through Jan. 26 in their native Louisiana. ||||| Less than 48 hours after Cracker Barrel announced plans to pull Duck Dynasty items off its shelves in the wake of cast member Phil Robertson's anti-gay comments, the Southern country store and restaurant chain has reversed its decision. 
 
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 Cracker Barrel's reversal of its former position was posted this morning to Facebook, following a flurry of negative responses from customers and fans who showed support to the patriarch of the "Duck Dynasty" family. 
 
 "When we made the decision to remove and evaluate certain Duck Dynasty items, we offended many of our loyal customers. Our intent was to avoid offending, but that's just what we've done," the company wrote. "You flat out told us we were wrong. We listened." 
 
 "People weren't shy. They wrote, called and took to social media," company spokesman Jeff Eller told ABC News about the company's decision to go back on its original pledge to ax "selected products" from its stores. 
 
 The restaurant was the first major retailer to announce its stance on the Robertson scandal since his remarks went public. 
 
 A statement posted on the company's Facebook page on Friday read: 
 
 "Cracker Barrel's mission is pleasing people. We operate within the ideals of fairness, mutual respect and equal treatment of all people. These ideals are the core of our corporate culture." 
 
 The Facebook post indicated the company would continue to sell some Duck Commander products in stores, but would continue to "evaluate the products we offer." 
 
 The announcement today confirmed the company will be reinstating all Duck Dynasty products back into its stores. 
 
 Robertson, 67, star of the hit A&E; reality series "Duck Dynasty," has been put on hiatus by the network after he made inflammatory remarks about homosexuality in an interview with GQ magazine. 
 
 In the GQ interview, Robertson said that, in his eyes, homosexual behavior -– along with bestiality -– is sinful. 
 
 "Start with homosexual behavior and just morph out from there," he said. "Bestiality, sleeping around with this woman and that woman and that woman and those men." 
 
 Still, "We never, ever judge someone on who's going to heaven, hell. That's the Almighty's job," he added. "We just love 'em, give 'em the good news about Jesus, whether they're homosexuals, drunks, terrorists. We let God sort 'em out later, you see what I'm saying?" 
 
 Robertson's comments received mixed reactions from the show's millions of fans, with politicians and gay rights groups also weighing in on the issue. 
 
 Hours after the GQ interview went public and Robertson was suspended, a Facebook page popped up encouraging fans to boycott the show until Robertson returned. The page now has over 1.7 million likes. 
 
 Robertson's suspension has also prompted an outcry from conservative Republican politicians, including Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas and Louisiana governor Bobby Jindal. 
 
 "Free speech is an endangered species. Those 'intolerants' hatin' and taking on the 'Duck Dynasty' patriarch for voicing his personal opinion are taking on all of us," Palin wrote on Facebook Wednesday night in a post featuring a photo of her with the cast of "Duck Dynasty." 
 
 Cruz also took to Facebook, writing, "The reason that so many Americans love 'Duck Dynasty' is because it represents the America usually ignored or mocked by liberal elites: a family that loves and cares for each other, believes in God, and speaks openly about their faith." 
 
 Meanwhile, there has been a large wave of support of his suspension. 
 
 Gay rights advocate group GLAAD released a statement calling Robertson's sentiments "some of the vilest and most extreme statements uttered against LGBT people in a mainstream publication." 
 
 "Phil and his family claim to be Christian, but Phil's lies about an entire community fly in the face of what true Christians believe," GLAAD spokesman Wilson Cruz said. "He clearly knows nothing about gay people or the majority of Louisianans -– and Americans –- who support legal recognition for loving and committed gay and lesbian couples. Phil's decision to push vile and extreme stereotypes is a stain on A&E; and his sponsors, who now need to re-examine their ties to someone with such public disdain for LGBT people and families." 
 
 "Duck Dynasty" is the highest-rated non-scripted series on television. The show recently aired a Christmas special that drew more than 9 million viewers. It is set to return for the rest of its fourth season run in January. 
 
 The Robertson family released a statement Friday night in support of their patriarch and threatening to walk away from the reality TV show. 
 
 "We cannot imagine the show going forward without our patriarch at the helm," the family said, adding they "are in discussions with A&E; to see what that means for the future." 
 
 ABC News' Kevin Dolak, Lesley Messer, Michael Rothman and the AP contributed to this report.
– Phil Robertson's anti-gay comments have been getting the lion's share of attention in recent days, but he also said a few things to GQ about African Americans that, along with those aforementioned comments, aren't sitting so well with Jesse Jackson. In discussing his youth in pre-civil rights era Louisiana, the Duck Dynasty patriarch said, in part: I never, with my eyes, saw the mistreatment of any black person. Not once. ... Pre-entitlement, pre-welfare, you say: Were they happy? They were godly; they were happy; no one was singing the blues." In a Dec. 23 statement obtained by ABC News, Jackson addressed Robertson's comments in no uncertain terms. "These statements are more offensive than the bus driver in Montgomery, Alabama, more than 59 years ago. At least the bus driver, who ordered Rosa Parks to surrender her seat to a white person, was following state law. Robertson’s statements were uttered freely and openly without cover of the law, within a context of what he seemed to believe was 'white privilege.'" Jackson, his Rainbow PUSH Coalition, and GLAAD in the statement demand a meeting with A&E execs ... along with Cracker Barrel's CEO, to discuss content and merchandising.