On February 9, 2025, New Orleans hosted Tremendous Bowl LIX on the Caesars Superdome.
In the course of the halftime present, one thing sudden occurred when one of many performers ran throughout the sphere waving a flag that mentioned “Sudan and Free Gaza.” Safety and police rapidly stepped in and stopped the person after he refused to observe their orders.
The person was later recognized as 41-year-old Zul-Qarnain Kwame Nantambu, an area from New Orleans. He was employed as an additional performer for the halftime present and was allowed to be on the sphere, however he was not allowed to protest or show any messages. After a brief investigation, Troop NOLA Troopers and the NFL confirmed what occurred, and an arrest warrant was issued.
On June 26, 2025, Nantambu turned himself in with the assistance of his lawyer. He was booked into the Orleans Parish Justice Heart on prices of Resisting an Officer and Disturbing the Peace by Interrupting a Lawful Meeting.
After his arrest, Nantambu launched a video assertion explaining his actions. He mentioned, “Let me first off by saying Illhamduallah, individuals are nonetheless struggling in locations like Sudan and all around the world, and the publicity is round me getting arrested for a protest is extra vital than the folks which might be dying continuously. We now have some inner issues we have to repair and we’ve international issues. However I’m going to face in solidarity with my New Orleans brothers and sisters.”
Nantambu is not any stranger to serving to others. He’s the founding father of the Open Ebook Platform, a company that brings Muslims collectively and promotes peace. His work goes far past New Orleans. In the course of the holy month of Ramadan, he traveled to Cairo, Egypt, the place he helped feed the much less lucky and supported struggling households. His objective has at all times been to face with Muslims around the globe, not simply in his hometown.
He has additionally labored in a few of the hardest locations in America, together with a latest go to to “O-Block,” certainly one of Chicago’s most harmful neighborhoods. There, he spoke with native residents and tried to encourage them to seek out peace by way of religion and neighborhood assist.
Whereas his Tremendous Bowl protest triggered debate, it additionally sparked vital conversations about freedom of speech and international struggling. For Nantambu, it was one other step in his ongoing mission to talk up for the unvoiced and produce folks collectively by way of religion and motion.