A performer from Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl halftime show, Zul-Qarnain Kwame Nantambu, has been arrested for disrupting the event by displaying a flag reading “Sudan and Free Gaza.”
Louisiana State Police announced Thursday that Nantambu, 41, of New Orleans, surrendered and was booked on charges of resisting an officer and disturbing the peace.
According to state police, Nantambu “deviated from his assigned role” during the February 9 game at the Caesars Superdome.
He reportedly ran across the field with the flag, refusing commands from security and law enforcement to stop.
The NFL confirmed that while Nantambu had permission to be on the field, he did not have permission to demonstrate.
The arrest by Louisiana State Police comes despite New Orleans police initially stating that no charges would be filed.
Louisiana State Police took over the investigation due to Nantambu’s access to a highly secured area.
The NFL commended the State Police and stated it takes disruptions seriously, confirming Nantambu has been banned from all future NFL games and events.
During the halftime show, Nantambu, one of dozens of dancers, held the flag while on the roof of a car, then ran across the field before being tackled.
It’s unclear if then-President Donald Trump, who was at the game, witnessed the protest.
In an unrelated incident, Nantambu is also identified as the victim in a May 17 shooting outside a celebrity boxing event in Miami, where former NFL player Antonio Brown allegedly shot at him, with one bullet reportedly grazing his neck.