A performer at Kendrick Lamar’s Tremendous Bowl LIX halftime present in February has been arrested after holding up a Sudanese flag there with the message “Sudan and Free Gaza,” Louisiana State Police introduced Thursday.
The performer, Zul-Qarnain Kwame Nantambu, 41, of New Orleans surrendered to authorities after an arrest warrant was obtained, state police stated. He was booked into the Orleans Parish Justice Heart on fees of resisting an officer and disturbing the peace by interruption of a lawful meeting.
State police say troopers started investigating shortly after the Feb. 9 recreation on the Caesars Superdome and located that Nantambu “deviated from his assigned function” and disrupted the halftime present by working throughout the sector with the flag. Safety and legislation enforcement personnel ran after him, and he refused to adjust to their instructions to cease, state police stated in an announcement Thursday.
“In coordination with the Nationwide Soccer League, troopers realized that Nantambu had permission to be on the sector through the efficiency, however didn’t have permission to display as he did,” state police stated.
Neither jail data nor on-line courtroom data listing a lawyer for Nantambu who might be reached for remark.
The arrest comes after New Orleans police stated shortly after the soccer recreation at Caesars Superdome that the solid member wouldn’t face fees. But it surely was Louisiana State Police who introduced the costs Thursday.
New Orleans police initially responded to the disturbance, however Louisiana State Police then took over the investigation, partly because of the performer’s entry to a extremely secured space, Louisiana State Police Sgt. Katharine Stegall stated in an e mail to The Related Press.
The NFL on Thursday stated it commends the Louisiana State Police for “its diligence and professionalism.”
“We take any try to disrupt any a part of an NFL recreation, together with the halftime present, very severely and are happy this particular person might be held accountable to the fullest extent of the legislation,” the NFL stated. “Along with the continued prison case, the NFL banned the person from attending any NFL video games or occasions.”
The solid member was amongst dozens of dancers carrying black outfits. He held the flag within the air whereas standing on the roof of a automotive that was a fundamental function of the hip-hop artist’s efficiency. He then jumped off stage and ran throughout the sector earlier than being tackled by a number of males in fits.
President Donald Trump was within the stadium for the sport, however it wasn’t clear whether or not he noticed the protest.
In a separate case, Nantambu is listed because the sufferer of a Might 17 taking pictures exterior a star boxing occasion in Miami.
Former NFL participant Antonio Brown is going through an tried homicide cost after authorities say he grabbed a handgun from a safety employee on the boxing occasion and fired two pictures at Nantambu. Nantambu instructed investigators that one of many bullets grazed his neck.
