Zul-Qarnain Kwame Nantambu, a background dancer for Kendrick Lamar, was arrested by the Louisiana State Police on Thursday, June 26, 2025, for his act of solidarity with Gaza and Sudan during his performance at the Super Bowl Halftime Show at Caesars Superdome, New Orleans, in February. The 41-year-old man was charged with 'resisting an officer and disrupting the peace by interrupting an official event' during Super Bowl 2025.
Kendrick Lamar's Background Dancer Detained for Gaza Protest
According to Colonel Robert Hughes, Police Chief, as quoted by Billboard, Nantambu surrendered himself and is now in custody. The protest took place while Kendrick Lamar was performing his hit 'TV Off'. Nantambu, who was a backup dancer at the time, deviated from the choreography and waved a flag with the words 'SUDAN' and 'GAZA' atop a black Buick GNX. The security personnel swiftly apprehended him from the field.
Following the incident, Nantambu was initially released without charges. However, he was banned from entering the stadium and NFL events for life. The NFL takes any potential disruptions to the course of NFL games seriously, including during the Super Bowl Halftime Show which takes place during game breaks.
Nantambu Emphasizes Human Suffering
In an interview with NBC News, Nantambu admitted that his action was to highlight human suffering. Especially since a few days before the incident, Donald Trump had stated that the Palestinian people had no choice but to leave their homeland.
His call was based on his belief in showing compassion for fellow human beings. "I knew this would strengthen their faith, seeing someone supporting and thinking about them on such a grand stage, to raise awareness of their suffering," he told NBC News.
Nantambu became more determined to carry out his action after understanding the symbolism in Kendrick Lamar's performance with the background dancers, forming the American flag. Lamar also discussed revolution and consciousness in one of his television appearances.
Currently, as many people around the world know, genocide is taking place in Gaza. Meanwhile, Sudan is experiencing a civil war that has claimed many lives.
MUHAMMAD RIFAN PRIANTO
Editor's Choice: 66 Palestinian Children Die from Malnutrition in Gaza Due to Israeli Blockade
Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News
66 Palestinian Children Die from Malnutrition in Gaza Due to Israeli Blockade
1 jam lalu
At least 66 Palestinian children have died of acute malnutrition in the Gaza Strip under an Israeli blockade since October 2023.
Israel Orders Eviction of Palestinians in Central Gaza, Threatens New Strikes
7 jam lalu
On Saturday, June 28, 2025, the Israeli military ordered evacuations in central Gaza and threatened airstrikes.
Haaretz: 100,000 Palestinians Dead in Gaza, Four Percent of Population
10 jam lalu
This figure far exceeds the Gaza Health Ministry's reported toll of 56,300 since October 2023.
Trump Claims Gaza Ceasefire Deal Expected Next Week
11 jam lalu
President Donald Trump admits a dire situation is unfolding in Gaza.
Drugs Found Inside US Flour Aid Packages for Gaza
12 jam lalu
Palestinian authorities in Gaza say opioid painkiller Oxycodone was found in a bag of flour sent from the U.S. aid distribution point.
Israeli Troops Told to Fire on Gaza Aid Seekers, Haaretz Reports
14 jam lalu
The Israeli newspaper Haaretz states that the order to shoot unarmed Gaza residents seeking aid has been ongoing for the past month.
UN Rapporteur Accuses Israel of Preventing Palestinian Births as Part of Genocide
17 jam lalu
The UN rapporteur said that Israel is preventing births within the Palestinian population to alter the demographic composition.
Prabowo and Anwar Issue Joint Statement on Iran-Israel Conflict
17 jam lalu
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto met to discuss the Iran-Israel conflict, among other things.
Today's Top 3 News: Middle East Conflict: How Iran-Israel Tensions Are Reshaping Tourism
1 hari lalu
Here is the list of the top 3 news on Tempo English today.
Russia Says Nuclear Cooperation with Iran Is Legitimate and Will Continue
1 hari lalu
Russia expressed hope that the damage to cooperation between Iran and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) can be repaired.
