Super Bowl Performer Who Waved ‘sudan And Free Gaza’ Flag At Halftime Arrested

A performer who was portion of Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl halftime show successful February has been arrested aft displaying a Sudanese emblem pinch nan words “Sudan and Free Gaza,” according to an announcement from Louisiana rule enforcement connected Thursday, June 26. The performer, identified arsenic Zul-Qarnain Kwame Nantambu, 41, of New Orleans, Louisiana, turned himself successful aft an apprehension warrant was issued, authorities constabulary said. 

He was taken into custody and booked connected charges of resisting an serviceman and disturbing nan bid by interruption of a lawful assembly.

Authorities began their investigation aft nan Feb. 9 crippled betwixt nan Philadelphia Eagles and Kansas City Chiefs astatine Caesars Superdome. Police said Nantambu “deviated from his assigned role” and caused a disruption during nan halftime show by sprinting crossed nan section pinch nan flag. Security and constabulary chased him, and said he refused to perceive to their orders to stop.

Initially, nary charges were to beryllium filed. What changed?

New Orleans authorities initially said nary charges would beryllium revenge against Nantambu. However, connected Thursday, Louisiana State Police announced nan charges.

New Orleans constabulary were nan first ones to respond to nan incident, but nan section noted that it was authorities constabulary who yet took complete nan investigation. That’s successful portion because of nan performer’s entree to a tightly secured area, according to an email to The Associated Press from Louisiana State Police Sgt. Katharine Stegall.

The NFL responds

The NFL, successful a statement, praised nan Louisiana State Police for “its diligence and professionalism.”

“We return immoderate effort to disrupt immoderate portion of an NFL game, including nan halftime show, very earnestly and are pleased this individual will beryllium held accountable to nan fullest grade of nan law,” nan connection made to The Associated Press said. “In summation to nan ongoing criminal case, nan NFL banned nan individual from attending immoderate NFL games aliases events.”

Super Bowl disruption

As Nantambu performed among dozens of dancers astatine nan Super Bowl, he propped up a emblem while opinionated connected nan tile of a conveyance that was nan focal point of Lamar’s performance. Nantambu past hopped disconnected shape and ran crossed nan section earlier information unit tackled him to nan ground.

Separate ineligible matter pinch erstwhile NFL star

In a abstracted ineligible matter, Nantambu accused erstwhile NFL prima Antonio Brown of shooting astatine him connected May 17. Nantambu said 1 of nan bullets grazed his neck. Brown is now facing a complaint of attempted execution aft investigators accused him of taking a weapon from a information defender astatine a personage boxing arena successful Miami and firing 2 shots astatine Nantambu. An apprehension warrant has since been issued for Brown, but nan erstwhile wide receiver, who spent nan mostly of his profession pinch nan Pittsburgh Steelers, is reportedly extracurricular nan country.