A&E: 'Duck Dynasty' resuming with entire Robertson family

(CNN) -- In an apparent gesture to the advocacy groups, A&E said that it would “also use this moment” to broadcast public service announcements “promoting unity, tolerance and acceptance among all people.”

Little more than a week after it suspended “Duck Dynasty” star Phil Robertson for incendiary remarks about homosexuality, the cable channel A&E said Friday that it would include him in future tapings of the reality television show, effectively lifting the suspension amid a flurry of petitions in support of Robertson.

“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,” the channel said in a statement.

The announcement came nine days after A&E originally suspended Robertson. At the time the channel said it was taking an appropriate and necessary action in response to Robertson’s remarks to a GQ magazine interviewer.