A background dancer in US rapper Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl halftime show was detained after unfurling a Palestinian flag with the words “Gaza” and “Sudan” written on it during the performance.
According to the report, the man, who was part of a 400-member field cast, was dressed in black like the other performers and concealed the flag until the final moments of the show, the National Football League (NFL) said in a statement.
“We commend security for quickly detaining the individual who displayed the flag,” the NFL said, adding that “no one involved with the production was aware of the individual’s intent.”
The incident occurred during Lamar’s final song, TV Off, as the performer stood on the back of a black Grand National car featured throughout the set.
After unfurling the flag, the man jumped off the stage and ran across the field for about 20 seconds before security tackled him and escorted him away.
The New Orleans Police Department said it is “working to determine applicable charges” for the person who was part of the 400-member field cast.
“The individual will (be) banned for life from all NFL stadiums and events,” NFL spokesperson Brian McCarthy said in a statement.
The NFL added that “the individual hid the item on his person and unveiled it late in the show” and that “no one involved with the production was aware of the individual’s intent.”
Roc Nation, the entertainment company which produced the show, said the act “was neither planned nor part of the production and was never in any rehearsal.”
The show continued without interruption, and the performer did not appear to be shown in the broadcast of Lamar’s performance.
Kendrick Lamar made history as the first solo hip-hop artist to headline the coveted slot.
Actor Samuel L Jackson was dressed as Uncle Sam and introduced the rapper on stage.
American citizen ran with a Palestinian flag during the Kendrick Lamar halftime concert at #SuperBowl
Reminding us that governments no longer represent the citizens…
— Pelham (@Resist_05) February 10, 2025
