A protester was detained after interrupting Kendrick Lamar's highly anticipated halftime performance at the NFL Super Bowl LIX held at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans on Sunday. Carrying a Palestinian flag with "Gaza" and "Sudan" inscribed on it, the demonstrator made his way onto the field by jumping from a car, which was part of Lamar's performance setup. The protester, dressed in attire similar to the numerous dancers and flag bearers in the show, caused a brief disruption by running in circles around the field.
Security staff quickly spotted and responded to the protester's actions, escorting him off the field. Despite the interruption, the game proceeded as planned. The Philadelphia Eagles emerged victorious with a decisive 42-20 win against the Kansas City Chiefs.
The protester was initially believed to be a member of the production cast due to his similar attire. However, it became evident that his actions were not part of the scheduled performance. Actor Samuel L Jackson and recording artist SZA were on stage with Lamar when the incident took place, adding to the excitement of the halftime show.
In addition to the halftime show and game, the event was marked by the presence of then-U.S. President Donald Trump, who attended the Super Bowl for the first time during his presidency. Trump was seen in the stands alongside his daughter Ivanka Trump and NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. However, he left the stadium slightly before the conclusion of the game.
The protester's unexpected appearance brought an additional layer of drama to an already monumental event. The swift action by security ensured that both the performance and game continued without further interruptions.
