Super Bowl halftime performer arrested after police say he held flag stating 'Sudan and Free Gaza.'
Share this @internewscast.com

A performer at Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl halftime performance in February has been apprehended after displaying a Sudanese flag with the words “Sudan and Free Gaza,” according to an announcement by Louisiana State Police on Thursday.

The performer, Zul-Qarnain Kwame Nantambu, 41, from New Orleans, turned himself in to authorities following the issuance of an arrest warrant, the state police reported. He was taken to the Orleans Parish Justice Center, facing charges of resisting an officer and disturbing the peace by disrupting a lawful assembly.

According to the state police, troopers initiated an investigation shortly after the Feb. 9 game at the Caesars Superdome, discovering that Nantambu “strayed from his assigned role” and interrupted the halftime show by running across the field with the flag. Security and law enforcement personnel pursued him, but he did not comply with their orders to stop, the state police stated in a Thursday statement.

“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,” state police said.

Neither jail records nor online court records list a lawyer for Nantambu who could be reached for comment.

The arrest comes after New Orleans police said shortly after the football game at Caesars Superdome that the cast member would not face charges. But it was Louisiana State Police who announced the charges Thursday.

New Orleans police initially responded to the disturbance, but Louisiana State Police then took over the investigation, partly due to the performer’s access to a highly secured area, Louisiana State Police Sgt. Katharine Stegall said in an email to The Associated Press.

The NFL on Thursday said it commends the Louisiana State Police for “its diligence and professionalism.”

“We take any attempt to disrupt any part of an NFL game, including the halftime show, very seriously and are pleased this individual will be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law,” the NFL said. “In addition to the ongoing criminal case, the NFL banned the individual from attending any NFL games or events.”

The cast member was among dozens of dancers wearing black outfits. He held the flag in the air while standing on the roof of a car that was a main feature of the hip-hop artist’s performance. He then jumped off stage and ran across the field before being tackled by several men in suits.

President Donald Trump was in the stadium for the game, but it wasn’t clear if he saw the protest.

In a separate case, Nantambu is listed as the victim of a May 17 shooting outside a celebrity boxing event in Miami.

Former NFL player Antonio Brown is facing an attempted murder charge after authorities say he grabbed a handgun from a security worker at the boxing event and fired two shots at Nantambu. Nantambu told investigators that one of the bullets grazed his neck.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Canadian spy chief warns of alarming rise in teen terror suspects, 'potentially lethal' threats by Iran

Canadian Spy Chief Sounds Alarm: Surge in Teen Terror Suspects and Iran’s ‘Lethal’ Threats

During an unusual public address on Thursday, Daniel Rogers, the head of…
Property tax bonfire: Chicago homeowners gather at Harmony Community Church in Lawndale to discuss new house tax bill increases

Chicago Homeowners Unite at Lawndale Church to Address Rising Property Tax Concerns

CHICAGO — On Saturday night, residents gathered at Harmony Community Church in…
Former Zelenskyy associate accused in $100 million embezzlement scheme

Ex-Zelenskyy Ally Charged in Massive $100 Million Embezzlement Plot

A former associate of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is facing serious allegations…
JSO: Man hospitalized after being shot at bus stop on Normandy Boulevard

Shooting at Normandy Boulevard Bus Stop Sends Man to Hospital

The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office reported that after shooting a man, the attacker…
ABC's Juju Chang uncovers exclusive new details about California woman's murder

Juju Chang Reveals Exclusive Insights into California Woman’s Murder: An ABC News Special Report

FRESNO, Calif. — An upcoming episode of 20/20 is set to shed…
St Louis neighborhoods struggling to rebuild six months after tornado kills five

St. Louis Communities Face Ongoing Rebuilding Challenges Six Months After Tornado Tragedy Claims Five Lives

St. Louis tornado: six months later Six months have passed since a…
America Doesn’t Need 600,000 Chinese ‘Students’

Why America’s Education System Should Rethink Its Reliance on Chinese Student Influx

During a Monday broadcast, President Trump reaffirmed his commitment to welcoming 600,000…
Hurricane Melissa Jamaica: Chicago-area groups organizing donations, help for hurricane survivors in Jamaica

Chicago Community Rallies to Aid Hurricane Melissa Survivors in Jamaica: Donation Drives and Support Initiatives Launched

CHICAGO (WLS) — It’s been over a fortnight since Hurricane Melissa unleashed…
Canada to open Greenland consulate after Trump’s push to acquire island

Canada Strengthens Arctic Ties with New Greenland Consulate Following U.S. Interest in Island Acquisition

OTTAWA: Canada is poised to establish a consulate in Nuuk, the capital…
Cruz clashes with Nigeria over his claims 50,000 Christians killed since 2009 in religious violence

African Union Leader Refutes Genocide Allegations Against Christians Amid Cruz’s Warning to Nigerian Authorities

Amid escalating violence in Nigeria, a senior official from the African Union…
South Carolina triple murderer is executed by firing squad

South Carolina Executes Triple Murderer by Firing Squad: A Historic First in Decades

A man convicted of a triple homicide in South Carolina has become…
Kansas officers shot: 3 Osage County sheriff's deputies, 1 Kansas Highway Patrol trooper shot in rural Carbondale, police say

Breaking News: Four Kansas Law Enforcement Officers Injured in Carbondale Shooting Incident

In the quiet rural expanse south of Topeka, Kansas, the peace was…