A performer from Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl LIX halftime show in February has been arrested for waving a Sudanese flag with the message “Sudan and Free Gaza,” according to the Louisiana State Police, who announced the news on Thursday.
The performer, 41-year-old Zul-Qarnain Kwame Nantambu from New Orleans, turned himself in after police issued an arrest warrant. He was booked at the Orleans Parish Justice Center on charges of resisting an officer and disturbing the peace by interrupting a lawful assembly.
State police mentioned that their investigation began soon after the game on February 9 at the Caesars Superdome. They found that Nantambu “deviated from his assigned role” and disrupted the halftime performance by running across the field with the flag. Security and law enforcement chased after him, but he did not follow their orders to stop, as stated by state police on Thursday.
According to state police, “In coordination with the National Football League, troopers learned that Nantambu had permission to be on the field during the performance, but did not have permission to demonstrate as he did.”
No jail or online court records show a lawyer for Nantambu who could be contacted for comments. The arrest happened after New Orleans police stated shortly after the football game at Caesars Superdome that the cast member would not face any charges. However, it was the Louisiana State Police who announced the charges on Thursday.
Initially, New Orleans police responded to the incident, but Louisiana State Police later took over the investigation because of the performer’s access to a highly secured area, according to Louisiana State Police Sgt. Katharine Stegall in an email to The Associated Press.
On Thursday, the NFL praised the Louisiana State Police for their “diligence and professionalism.” They stated, “We take any attempt to disrupt any part of an NFL game, including the halftime show, very seriously and are glad this individual will face full accountability under the law.” Additionally, they noted that besides the ongoing criminal case, they have banned this individual from attending any NFL games or events.
The cast member was part of a group of dancers dressed in black. He waved a flag while standing on top of a car that was central to the hip-hop artist’s performance. Afterward, he jumped off stage and ran across the field before being tackled by several men in suits.
President Donald Trump attended the game, but it’s unclear if he witnessed the protest. In another matter, Nantambu is named as a victim in a shooting that occurred on May 17 outside a celebrity boxing event in Miami.
