Credit: Hip Hop Hero / YouTube Still

Kendrick Lamar headlined the Super Bowl LIX halftime show in February, which saw a man protesting with a Sudan and Palestine flag during his ‘TV Off’ performance. Months after the incident, the Louisiana State Police confirmed the arrest of Zul-Qarnain Kwame Nantambu.

The 41-year-old was taken into custody on June 26th for “exhibiting signs of disturbing the peace by interruption of a lawful assembly.” A warrant was obtained through the Orleans Parish Criminal District Court.

Nantambu stood on a car for a few seconds before being chased off and tackled by three men. While the protester didn’t appear on television, the flag appeared in the background.

The New Orleans Police Department previously stated there would be no criminal charges. According to Variety, officials said, “Nantambu surrendered himself through coordination with his attorney.”

In a statement, police wrote, “The preliminary investigation revealed that during the halftime performance, a performer deviated from his assigned role, retrieved a Sudanese flag bearing the message ‘Sudan and Free Gaza’ and disrupted the halftime show by running across the field with the flag.

“Security and law enforcement personnel on site quickly recognised the unauthorised action and apprehended the performer after he refused to comply with their commands to stop.”

Following the event, NFL’s Vice President of Communications, Brian McCarthy, said, “No one involved with the production was aware of the individual’s intent. The individual will (be) banned for life from all NFL stadiums and events.”

Nantambu previously explained the reasoning behind the protest. “I was inspired to use this opportunity to shed light on our Muslim brothers and sisters who are suffering, oppressed and going through hardships,” he told Dazed. “As Muslims, we’re one body, so if one part of the body hurts, we all hurt. I just felt like I had to do my part and trusted God would do the rest.”