Super Bowl LIX Protester Arrested After Flag Display

Zul-Qarnain Kwame Nantambu, a performer at Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl LIX halftime show, was arrested and charged with resisting an officer and disturbing the peace after waving a flag supporting Sudan and Gaza during the live broadcast. Though allowed on the field as an extra, Nantambu deviated from his assigned role to stage the protest, which was not coordinated with the NFL or halftime show producers. Security apprehended him after he ignored commands to stop, and he later surrendered to authorities through his attorney nearly five months after the February event. Initially, New Orleans police indicated no charges would be filed, but Louisiana State Police took over the investigation due to his access to a secured area and issued a warrant. The NFL imposed a lifetime ban on Nantambu from all league events, emphasizing a strict stance against disruptions. Both the NFL and Roc Nation confirmed the protest was unplanned, while Nantambu said he aimed to highlight suffering in Gaza and Sudan.