A background dancer holds a Palestinian flag and a Sudanese flag as US rapper Kendrick Lamar performs during Super Bowl LIX Chiefs vs Eagles Apple Music Halftime Show at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana, 9 February 2025. [Getty]
A background dancer in the Super Bowl half-time shows on Sunday caused a disruption when he displayed Palestinian and Sudanese flags.
The dancer, who was part of a group of around 400 performers with rapper Kendrick Lamar on the football field at the Super Dome in New Orleans, was quickly tackled after unfurling the flags with “Sudan” and “Gaza” written on them.
Prior to being apprehended, the man ran around the field for about 20 seconds with the flags under a bright spotlight.
“We commend security for quickly detaining the individual who displayed the flag,” the National Football League said in a public statement following the incident.
“He was a part of the 400-member field cast. The individual hid the item in his possession and unveiled it late in the show. No one involved with the production was aware of the individual’s intent,” the NFL claimed.
They added that the individual will be banned for life from all NFL events and stadiums.
This incident is one of many in which pro-Palestinian protesters have disrupted high-profile events to raise awareness of the humanitarian crisis.
Other events have included the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, campaign rallies, and university graduation ceremonies. The war in Sudan, however, has not seen the same level of attention.
This comes as Hamas and Israel are exchanging captives and prisoners as part of a ceasefire process following around 15 months of an Israeli genocidal war on Gaza. It also comes days after US President Donald Trump suggested that the US take over Gaza to redevelop the enclave for beach resorts.
