Super Bowl: Performer celebrated for waving Palestine, Sudan flags
Social media users showered praise on a "courageous" performer at the Super Bowl LIX who held up a banner featuring both the Palestine and Sudan flags during the halftime show on Sunday.
The individual, part of the 400-member field cast of headlining rapper Kendrick Lamar, unfurled the flags while standing atop a stage prop before security intervened and removed them from the venue.
A performer waved the flags of Palestine and Sudan during the Super Bowl LIX halftime show in New Orleans, in an apparent protest to raise awareness about ongoing crises in both regions.
— Middle East Eye (@MiddleEastEye) February 10, 2025
The man was chased off stage as he ran around the performance area before being tackled and… pic.twitter.com/HTOooreJ7Y
The National Football League (NFL) distanced itself from the demonstration and stated that the individual had been banned from future league events.
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"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," it said in a statement.
Meanwhile, a representative for Roc Nation, who produced the halftime show, stated that the protest was "neither planned nor part of the production and was never in any rehearsal".
Despite the league’s response, social media users overwhelmingly praised the performer’s "moral courage" and "extraordinary display [of] conviction".
"To make such a bold statement in a space dominated by entertainment, corporate sponsorships, and strict regulations required immense bravery," said one user on X, formerly known as Twitter.
"In the midst of one of the largest and most widely watched events in the United States, he used his platform to bring global attention to two ongoing humanitarian crises, wars and genocides that have devastated countless lives."
Israel's 15-month assault on the Gaza Strip has killed more than 48,000 Palestinians, and injured over 111,ooo, with thousands more believed to be dead under the rubble.
Sudan has been engulfed in a civil war since April 2023 that has killed well over 60,000 people.
A backup dancer holding the Sudanese and Palestinian flags was chased off the stage during the Superbowl Halftime show.
— • (@Alhamdhulillaah) February 10, 2025
🇸🇩❤️🇵🇸 pic.twitter.com/p35K4kl3qw
The war has caused over 10 million people to flee their homes, leading humanitarian organisation to call it the largest internal displacement crisis in the world.
Hundreds of thousands of protesters and rights campaigners have sought to draw global attention to these conflicts, pressure political leaders, and mobilise support for Palestinians and Sudanese
'Encapsulates the genocidal American moment'
Several people used the event to call for artists and public figures to use their platforms to spread awareness about ongoing global crises.
"This is exactly what we ought to demand from people who capture the attention of larger audiences, such artist [sic] capturing the attention of everyone watching the fcking Super Bowl... They can afford the risk more than this person," posted another user.
Another user stated: "There’s so much to be said about how it’s never the people with the most resources and influence taking the risk. This was brave."
Concerns for the individual’s safety also spread online, with some calling for legal support.
"If anyone knows about who he is or his bail fund, please share," one user urged, as discussions emerged about whether the performer could face charges or other repercussions.
Others criticised the Pulitzer and Grammy award-winning rapper, known for highlighting social and political issues, for not speaking up directly about the wars in Sudan and Palestine.
Amazing job timing this to the lyrics. https://t.co/dkEzO92nZD pic.twitter.com/Zup6zbojFR
— Writers Against the War on Gaza (@wawog_now) February 10, 2025
"Bravo to that guy!! This should have been part of Kendrick’s performance, but he’s not brave enough. His silence on Palestine/Sudan makes his ‘consciousness about issues on the world’ music lose a lot of value," said one user.
Some pointed to hip-hop's role in justice and resistance movements, with one user stating: "Hip-hop was born from oppressed people. If you like hip-hop, you should support Palestine."
Friend at the Superbowl caught one of Kendrick's background dancers repping Sudan and Gaza during the halftime show before getting chased and dragged off the field. Obviously was cut from the broadcast but any attempt to make a blip on the American consciousness is worth it 😤 pic.twitter.com/Nm5jzj94ew
— jessica jin (@jessicajin_) February 10, 2025
Beyond the individual act, many framed the moment as indicative of what they said was a broader US mindset of wilful ignorance in the face of global conflict.
"This encapsulates the genocidal American moment. ‘Yes, our bombs are mass murdering you and our money is funding your murderers, but do not interrupt our celebration!’" one user wrote.
While the majority of reactions celebrated the performer’s actions, some users pushed back, calling the display performative and intrusive.
"This shit is annoying as fuck. All Palestine, PERFORMATIVE, ‘protesters’ do is bombard Black events & press us about the issue," one critical post read.
Middle East Eye reached out to Kendrick Lamar but did not receive a response at the time of publication.
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