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By Jenna Sundel
News Reporter
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A protester who displayed a Sudanese and Palestinian flag during the Super Bowl halftime show was not arrested, according to New Orleans police.
The New Orleans Police Department told Newsweek that the individual was ejected from the stadium but was not arrested or issued a summons.
Why It Matters
The protester displayed the flag while rapper Kendrick Lamar performed his Grammy-winning song "Not Like Us." The individual stood atop a Buick Grand National GNX displayed on the stage.
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NFL spokesperson Brian McCarthy told the Associated Press that the individual will be "banned for life" from all NFL stadiums and events.
Last week, President Donald Trump called for the U.S. to take over the Gaza Strip and relocate around 2 million Palestinians to neighboring countries. Trump was at the Super Bowl, but he left at halftime.
A civil war is taking place in Sudan. Former president Joe Biden had extended temporary protections to Sudanese immigrants during his term. Trump has said he plans to end temporary protected status for immigrants from some countries.
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What To Know
Police said the protester, a Black male, will not be identified since he was not arrested.
The New Orleans Police Department said it is working with the NFL and the halftime production team to determine if the individual had any affiliation with the halftime show.
The NFL told the AP that the individual was part of the 400-member field cast for the show. The league said the individual "hid the item on his person and unveiled it late in the show," and "no one involved with the production was aware of the individual's intent."
Roc Nation, the company that produced the show, also said the action "was neither planned nor part of the production and was never in any rehearsal."
The individual later jumped off of the car and ran around with the flag until he was tackled by security and removed from the field, according to The New York Times.
The action did not cause any interruption in Lamar's performance, and it appears that it was not shown on the live broadcast.
Lamar's performance featured appearances from singer SZA, tennis star Serena Williams and actor Samuel L. Jackson. The performance was the first time that a rap star had been the solo headliner for a Super Bowl halftime show.
Lamar previously performed at the Super Bowl in 2022 as part of a lineup with Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, 50 Cent, Eminem and Mary J. Blige.
The Philadelphia Eagles beat the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday 40-22.
What People Are Saying
The NFL, in a statement: "We commend security for quickly detaining the individual who displayed the flag."
What Happens Next
Eagles fans are continuing to celebrate the team's victory. A date for the championship parade had not been confirmed, but the team appeared to hint at Friday as a possibility on X, formerly Twitter.
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