Ian Bayne, a Republican candidate for Congress in Illinois, described Phil Robertson of the A&E series “Duck Dynasty” as the “Rosa Parks of our generation.”
“In December 1955, Rosa Parks took a stand against an unjust societal persecution of black people, and in December 2013, Robertson took a stand against persecution of Christians,” said Bayne in an e-mail
“What Parks did was courageous,” added Bayne. “What Mr. Robertson did was courageous too.”
Robertson made controversial comments earlier this week in a GQ magazine interview, leading to A&E kicking him off the show.
According to a press release sent out to supporters, “Bayne believes that the Duck Dynasty star knew that going on GQ would result in the current controversy going on surrounding his suspension, as well as his suspension.”
“Bayne added that this exposure of Robertson’s situation is an eye opener for many who may have been previously in disbelief that the bible is fast becoming considered ‘hate speech’ by the media and society.”
Celebrity website TMZ reported that the Robertsons who appear on the popular TV show said they won’t do the show without Phil.
“As a family, we cannot imagine the show going forward without our patriarch at the helm. We are in discussions with A&E to see what that means for the future of ‘Duck Dynasty,” it reads.
The family also said they are “disappointed” over the suspension because he expressed his religious beliefs, noting they belong to his “constitutionally protected right.”
