A performer at Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl halftime show sparked outrage when they unfurled a flag with the words “Sudan” and “Gaza” during their performance, drawing attention to the ongoing conflicts in these Middle Eastern regions. The protest was over the devastating wars raging in both Gaza and Sudan.
The Gaza Strip, an enclave along the Mediterranean Sea bordered by Egypt and Israel, has been at the center of a 2023 Israel-Hamas war that began when Hamas stormed across the border into Israel. The conflict resulted in the deaths of over 1,200 people and more than 47,000 Palestinians according to local health authorities.
In Sudan, a nation in northeastern Africa, an ongoing civil war between the military and paramilitary forces has killed over 28,000 people since 2023. A recent surge in fighting led to an increase in civilian casualties, with reports of artillery, airstrikes, and drone assaults causing harm to innocent civilians.
The protests during the Super Bowl halftime show highlighted the devastating impact of these conflicts on civilians. The NFL subsequently announced that the performer would be banned for life from its stadiums and events. The company behind the halftime show also clarified that the protest was not part of the planned performance.
These wars have been drawing attention in popular culture, with activists using social media to raise awareness about the crises in Gaza and Sudan. Recent instances include a rapper canceling a concert due to concerns over UAE support for paramilitary forces in Sudan.
The ongoing conflicts in Gaza and Sudan are complex issues, but raising awareness through events like the Super Bowl halftime show can spark conversations about these pressing global issues.
Source: https://apnews.com/article/super-bowl-protester-whats-happening-gaza-sudan-dd79957e52b06212044cae6d4ce9e87e