New Orleans police announced on Monday that the cast member who unfurled a Palestinian flag with the word 'GAZA' during Kendrick Lamar's Super Bowl halftime show will not face charges. The individual, part of a group of dancers dressed in matching black sweats, displayed the flag, which also featured the word 'SUDAN' and combined the black stripes of flags representing the Sudanese and Palestinian peoples. The incident occurred as the cast member stood on the roof of a car central to the hip-hop artist's performance, then leaped off the stage and dashed across the field before being tackled by security personnel.
The NFL clarified that the flag was concealed, and the production team was unaware of the individual's intentions. As a consequence, the person responsible has been banned for life from attending league stadiums and events. Roc Nation, the entertainment company behind the halftime show, confirmed that the flag display was not part of the planned performance.
President Donald Trump was present at the game, although it remains uncertain if he witnessed the protest. Trump's controversial remarks about the U.S. government's purported interest in acquiring Gaza have been met with strong opposition from the Palestinian community, sparking debates about the region's future.
