05/11/26 08:35:00
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05/11 20:30 CDT Super Bowl halftime performer who ran with a protest flag is
found guilty of resisting an officer
Super Bowl halftime performer who ran with a protest flag is found guilty of
resisting an officer
NEW ORLEANS (AP) --- A performer who disrupted Kendrick Lamar's Super Bowl
halftime performance was found guilty Monday of resisting an officer after
police said he ran across the field at Caesars Superdome with a Sudanese flag
that read "Sudan and Free Gaza."
Zul-Qarnain Kwame Nantambu, 41, of New Orleans was among dozens of dancers
wearing black outfits as part of the hip-hop artist's Feb. 9, 2025, performance.
While Nantambu was authorized to be on the field, he deviated from his assigned
role when he held up the flag while standing on the roof of a car used as a
prop in the show, according to the Louisiana State Police. He then jumped off
the stage and started running. Security and law enforcement personnel ran after
him, and he refused to comply with their commands to stop, the state police
said.
Nantambu surrendered to authorities after an arrest warrant was obtained, the
agency said. He was booked into the Orleans Parish Justice Center on charges of
resisting an officer and disturbing the peace by interruption of a lawful
assembly.
Chief Judge Juana Marine-Lombard found him guilty only of the resisting an
officer charge, a misdemeanor.
An attorney for Nantambu, Emily Posner, did not immediately respond to emails
seeking comment.
"We appreciate the chief judge's careful consideration of the evidence and the
decision to hold this individual accountable for resisting law enforcement
officers who work every day to protect our communities," Louisiana Attorney
General Liz Murrill said.
Nantambu will be sentenced June 1, the judge said. He could face a fine of up
to $500 and up to 6 months in prison, according to state law.
He has also received a lifetime ban from all NFL events.
In a separate case, Nantambu is listed as the victim of a shooting outside a
celebrity boxing event in Miami in May 2025.
Former NFL player Antonio Brown is facing an attempted murder charge after
authorities say he grabbed a handgun from a security worker at the boxing event
and fired two shots at Nantambu. Nantambu told investigators that one of the
bullets grazed his neck.
Brown has said he was defending himself. A trial date for him was set for
January 2027.
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