The protesters who waving the Palestinian flag during Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl 59 Halftime Show were arrested more than four months after the incident.
Louisiana State Police announced on Thursday, June 26th that 41-year-old Zul-Qarnain Kwame Nanatamba had leaned over after authorities secured an arrest warrant.
At Super Bowl 59 on February 9th, Lamar concluded his performance at the halftime show with his single “TV Off.” During the song, the man dressed in black became cheated on stage, running around the set, waving the Palestinian flags that he had read “Sudan” and “Gaza”. The protesters then stood on a black lowrider vehicle and moved towards the 50-yard line before security tackled him on the ground.
The NFL confirmed to USA Today the day after Super Bowl 59 that they had hidden the flag from them before the show.
Officials said state police officers began investigating the incident after the incident occurred and identified the protester as Nantumbu. Research confirmed that Nantumbu was hired as an extra for performance, and while he was allowed to be on the field, he “deviated from his assigned role” and had no permission to carry out the demonstration. Authorities added that law enforcement has allegedly refused to comply with the suspension order during the show.
After the incident, New Orleans Police said the protesters would not be arrested or charged, but it was the state police who carried the lawsuit. Louisiana State Police arrested Nantumbu, resisting officers and accusing them of obstructing peace by legal legislative suspension of legislative legislatives. He is currently booked at Orleans Parish Judicial Center.
The NFL previously told USA Today that protesters would be banned from all stadiums and events in the league for life.
“We have taken attempts to disrupt parts of the NFL games very seriously, including the halftime show, and are pleased that this individual will be held responsible to the fullest extent of the law,” the NFL said in a statement to the Associated Press.
After the incident, Nantumbu told NBC News he wanted the moment to be used to “emphasize human suffering” related to the Israeli-Hamas war.
Nantumbu is also linked to an incident involving a former NFL player, confirming that he is the victim of a shooting involving Antonio Brown in TMZ Sports. Brown is facing attempted murder charges with a firearm caused by an altercation other than a May 16 boxing event in Miami, according to a Miami-Dade County (Florida) arrest warrant first reported by the Washington Post.
