Protesters Disrupt Super Bowl with “ICE OUT” Movement, Inspired by Music Icons
Hundreds of demonstrators took to the streets surrounding Levi’s Stadium, the venue for this year’s NFL championship, to voice their opposition to the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency. The protest, marked by widespread “ICE OUT” banners, drew inspiration from a powerful political statement made by Puerto Rican artist Bad Bunny at a recent awards ceremony.
The Super Bowl, a cultural phenomenon that merges sports, music, and national identity, became the focal point for this advocacy. Organizers highlighted how high-profile cultural events, such as the Grammy Awards and the Golden Globes, have increasingly become platforms for artists to express broader social and political messages. This protest aimed to leverage the immense visibility of the Super Bowl to amplify calls for change regarding immigration policies.
“The Super Bowl is one of the most powerful cultural moments in the country, where music, competition, and identity all collide,” stated Shasti Conrad, a lead organizer of the protest. “We’ve seen at the Golden Globes and the Grammys how artists like Bad Bunny are using these stages to say something bigger about who we are and what we stand for. This action builds on that momentum. Culture often leads politics, and moments like this show how people are using joy, creativity, and visibility to push back against ICE and demand a country that truly lives up to its promise to welcome immigrants.”
The anti-ICE movement’s presence at the Super Bowl comes amidst a backdrop of political commentary. Former President Donald Trump had previously indicated he would not be attending the game, citing his disapproval of Bad Bunny’s inclusion in the halftime performance. When questioned about Trump’s viewing preferences, White House Press Secretary Leavitt suggested that the former President would favor a performance by Kid Rock over Bad Bunny.
The group Contra-ICE played a significant role in the demonstration, distributing an estimated 25,000 white towels emblazoned with the “ICE OUT” slogan to fans attending the game in Santa Clara. These towels were intended to be waved during the match, further broadcasting the protest’s message. Demonstrators explicitly called for the abolition of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency, urging lawmakers to take decisive action.
Despite the surrounding activism, the atmosphere in the hours leading up to kickoff was largely festive, with ticket-holders enjoying the pre-game revelry.
Bad Bunny, whose legal name is Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, performed a highly anticipated 13-minute set during the Super Bowl halftime show. While his performance was a global spectacle, he consciously refrained from making direct political statements during the show itself. Earlier in the week, during a Super Bowl press conference in San Francisco, Bad Bunny addressed the anticipation and potential backlash surrounding his performance. He expressed confidence in his show, stating, “The world is going to be happy this Sunday, (as well as) the whole country. There’s a lot of people that love me around the world, not just the Latino people.”
He also spoke about the significance of performing on such a large stage: “To be on the biggest stage in the world is something that I never thought (possible). You always have to be proud of who you are and feel comfortable being yourself, being proud about your history and where you are from and don’t let that limit yourself.” He shared anecdotes of fans from various countries expressing their excitement for his Super Bowl appearance.
Another musical act with a history of anti-Trump sentiment, Green Day, was also part of the pre-game festivities. Lead singer Billie Joe Armstrong has been vocal in his criticism of the Trump administration, even altering the lyrics of their hit song “American Idiot” to “I’m not part of a MAGA agenda.”
Former President Trump had publicly criticized the selection of both Bad Bunny and Green Day, suggesting their performances would “sow hatred.” Notably, Trump’s absence from this year’s Super Bowl marked a departure from his attendance at the previous year’s event in New Orleans, where he became the first sitting U.S. President to attend the championship game.
In response to the mainstream halftime show, the right-wing political organization Turning Point USA organized an alternative “All-American Halftime Show,” featuring artists such as Kid Rock.
On the football field, the Seattle Seahawks entered the game as favorites against the New England Patriots, who were making their first Super Bowl appearance since the era of quarterback Tom Brady.
