A man who interrupted the Super Bowl halftime show in February, waving a combined Sudanese/PLO flag with the words “Sudan” and “Free Gaza” written on it, was charged on Thursday with two misdemeanors, Louisiana State Police said.
Zul-Qarnain Kwame Nantambu, 41, was facing charges of resisting a police officer and disturbing the peace by interrupting a lawful assembly, the Associated Press cited police as saying.
Nantambu voluntarily turned himself in to authorities after consulting with his attorney, and was taken into custody at the Orleans Parish Justice Center, a jail in New Orleans, AP reported.
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.
Following the incident, the NFL banned Nantambu for life from all NFL stadiums and events.
According to police at the time, he had been hired as an extra performer for rapper Kendrick Lamar’s live performance during the halftime show. Although he had permission to be on the field, he “did not have permission to demonstrate as he did,” police said, per AP.
Footage of the incident showed the suspect holding up a flag while standing on the back of a black Grand National car that was used as a prop for Lamar’s performance.
The suspect later jumped into the field, raising his one-piece flag, and ran through other dancers until he was caught by security guards.
The National Football League identified the protester “as part of the 400-member field cast” of Lamar’s performance crew. He was dressed in black like other dancers on stage.
“We commend security for quickly detaining the individual who displayed the flag. The individual hid the item on his person and unveiled it late in the show. No one involved with the production was aware of the individual’s intent,” the NFL said in a statement.