Latest news with #Nantambu
The Hill
27-06-2025
- Sport
- The Hill
Super Bowl halftime performer arrested months after protest
The Super Bowl performer detained after waving a flag reading 'Sudan and Free Gaza' during Kendrick Lamar's halftime show was arrested on Thursday. Zul-Qarnain Kwame Nantambu, a 41-year-old man from New Orleans, surrendered himself to the Louisiana state police on charges of resisting an officer and disturbing the peace by interruption of a lawful assembly, The Associated Press reported. Both charges could lead to 6 months in prison. According to the police, Nantambu 'deviated from his assigned role, retrieved a Sudanese flag bearing the message 'Sudan and Free Gaza,' and disrupted the halftime show by running across the field with a flag.' During the performance, Nantambu stood on a car used as a prop during the show, branded the flag and then ran across the field before being tackled by security. '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 told the AP. Following the incident in February, the NFL banned the man for life from all of the league's stadiums. The New Orleans police said he would not face charges, but the state police took up the case. On Feb. 10, Nantambu told NBC that he wanted to 'highlight the human suffering,' in both Sudan and Palestine via the protest. Since the onset of the Israel-Hamas war in 2023, nearly 60,000 Palestinians have been killed, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. Several thousand people have also been killed in Sudan amid a civil war as millions experience extreme hunger. 'I hope God shifts Trump's heart to be empathetic and compassionate to those who are suffering in Palestine and do what is right by the Palestinians,' Nantambu said to NBC in February. Brian McCarthy, the vice president of communication for the NFL, told the AP that the league takes disruptions to games 'very seriously' and that it is 'please this individual will be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law.' In an unrelated case, Nantambu is cited as a victim in a May 17 shooting involving former NFL player Antonio Brown. The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Toronto Sun
27-06-2025
- Toronto Sun
Super Bowl halftime performer charged for running on field with 'Sudan and Free Gaza' flag
Published Jun 27, 2025 • 1 minute read A person holds up a flag during halftime of the NFL Super Bowl 59 football game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles, Feb. 9, 2025, in New Orleans. Photo by Matt Slocum / AP NEW ORLEANS — A Super Bowl halftime show performer was charged Thursday with two misdemeanours, about 4 1/2 months after he ran across the field at the Superdome waving a flag that included the words 'Sudan and Free Gaza,' Louisiana State Police said. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account Zul-Qarnain Kwame Nantambu, 41, turned himself in to authorities to face of charges resisting a police officer and disturbing the peace by interrupting a lawful assembly, police said. He surrendered in coordination with his attorney and was booked into the Orleans Parish Justice Center. Nantambu revealed the flag and ran on the field during rapper Kendrick Lamar's halftime performance on Feb. 9. He was detained on the field after his demonstration but not charged. The NFL said at the time he would be banned for life from league stadiums and events. According to a statement from police, Nantambu had been hired as an extra performer and 'had permission to be on the field during the performance, but did not have permission to demonstrate as he did.' NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy thanked investigators for their work. '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,' McCarthy said in a statement. Toronto Maple Leafs Toronto Raptors Toronto Raptors Music News
Yahoo
27-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Super Bowl performer arrested after disrupting halftime show with ‘Free Gaza' flag
A New Orleans man who allegedly did an unauthorized demonstration during Kendrick Lamar's halftime show at this year's Super Bowl has been arrested in the Big Easy, weeks after he was allegedly shot by former NFL wide receiver Antonio Brown. Zul-Qarnain Kwame Nantambu, 41, a hired halftime performer, turned himself in to Louisiana State Police on Thursday after a warrant was issued for his arrest, according to a police news release. An investigation into the Super Bowl incident found that while Nantambu was permitted to be on the field during the performance, he 'deviated from his assigned role, retrieved a Sudanese flag bearing the message 'Sudan and Free Gaza,' and disrupted the halftime show by running across the field with the flag.' Security and law enforcement personnel ran after Nantambu, and he refused to comply with their commands to stop, police said. He now faces charges of resisting an officer and disturbing the peace by interruption of a lawful assembly. In addition to the ongoing criminal case, Nantambu has also been banned from attending any NFL games or events, the league confirmed on Thursday. 'We commend the Louisiana State Police for its diligence and professionalism in this matter,' the NFL said in a statement. '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.' In a separate case, Nantambu is listed as the victim of a May 17 shooting outside a celebrity boxing event in Miami. According to Miami's CBS affiliate, a bullet grazed Nantambu's neck when Antonio Brown, who was attending the event, allegedly grabbed a handgun from a security worker and fired two shots at Nantambu. The 36-year-old star athlete, best known for his decade-plus run with the Pittsburgh Steelers, is facing an attempted murder charge.
Chicago Tribune
27-06-2025
- Chicago Tribune
Super Bowl halftime performer charged for running on field with ‘Sudan and Free Gaza' flag
NEW ORLEANS — A Super Bowl halftime show performer was charged Thursday with two misdemeanors, about 4 1/2 months after he ran across the field at the Superdome waving a flag that included the words 'Sudan and Free Gaza,' Louisiana State Police said. Zul-Qarnain Kwame Nantambu, 41, turned himself in to authorities to face of charges resisting a police officer and disturbing the peace by interrupting a lawful assembly, police said. He surrendered in coordination with his attorney and was booked into the Orleans Parish Justice Center. Nantambu revealed the flag and ran on the field during rapper Kendrick Lamar's halftime performance on Feb. 9. He was detained on the field after his demonstration but not charged. The NFL said at the time he would be banned for life from league stadiums and events. According to a statement from police, Nantambu had been hired as an extra performer and 'had permission to be on the field during the performance, but did not have permission to demonstrate as he did.' NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy thanked investigators for their work. '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,' McCarthy said in a statement.
Express Tribune
27-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Super Bowl halftime performer arrested after Sudan and Gaza protest during Kendrick Lamar's set
Zul-Qarnain Kwame Nantambu, the performer who staged a protest during Kendrick Lamar's Super Bowl LIX halftime performance, has been arrested in connection with the incident. Louisiana State Police confirmed the arrest on June 26, stating that Nantambu surrendered through coordination with his legal team. He faces charges of resisting an officer and disturbing the peace by interruption of a lawful assembly. The protest occurred on 9 February 2025 at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans. During Lamar's performance of 'TV Off,' Nantambu deviated from the choreographed routine, waving a flag with the words 'SUDAN' and 'GAZA' across it. Security quickly intervened, and he was detained by New Orleans police. While initially released without charges, he was banned for life from NFL stadiums and events. In a statement at the time, Super Bowl Halftime Show organisers clarified that no production staff were aware of Nantambu's intentions. Louisiana State Police later assumed investigative responsibility, reviewing security protocols in cooperation with the NFL and local law enforcement. Speaking to NBC News after the event, Nantambu explained his actions were meant to highlight the humanitarian crises in Gaza and Sudan. He called on President Donald Trump to 'be empathetic and compassionate' and to 'do what is right by the Palestinians… and if he can, help the Sudanese.'
