“ICE OUT” Rally Towels Flood Super Bowl, Highlighting Protest Against Immigration Raids
A grassroots protest movement is making waves at Super Bowl LVIII, distributing 15,000 rally towels emblazoned with the message “ICE OUT” to fans entering Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California. The effort, spearheaded by the group Contra-ICE, aims to leverage the high-profile event and the platform of halftime performer Bad Bunny to draw attention to the controversial practices of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
The rally towels feature artwork by acclaimed Los Angeles illustrator Lalo Alcaraz, incorporating a playful, punting bunny graphic on one side and the stark “ICE OUT” message on the other. This act of “culture-jamming” builds on Bad Bunny’s recent outspokenness regarding immigration issues, particularly his remarks at the Grammy Awards last week where he passionately defended immigrants, stating, “We’re not savage, we’re not animals, we’re not aliens. We are humans and we are Americans.”
Activists began distributing the towels early Sunday, strategically positioning themselves in high-traffic areas to reach fans attending the game between the Patriots and Seahawks. “I’m a big ‘Joy is resistance’ person,” said Shasti Conrad, a leader of Contra-ICE and a vice chair of the Democratic National Committee. “Today is a celebration of American sports, and there are opportunities to really be heard here. It’s about drawing attention to show that there is massive support to challenge Trump and the Department of Homeland Security.”
The NFL reportedly prefers to keep the Super Bowl apolitical, but organizers hope the visual impact of the towels will be undeniable during the broadcast. The protest comes amid growing scrutiny of ICE raids, which have been linked to the deaths of two protesters and the detention of numerous individuals.
The selection of Bad Bunny as the halftime performer itself carries symbolic weight, given his advocacy for Latino and immigrant communities. This choice, announced late last year, has amplified the debate surrounding federal immigration policies. The situation was further underscored by former President Donald Trump’s public disapproval of Bad Bunny and Green Day’s planned performances, stating, “I’m anti-them… All it does is sow hatred. Terrible.”
Adding to the pre-game dissent, Green Day’s Billie Joe Armstrong directly addressed ICE agents during a pre-game set, urging them to “quit that s— job you have” and “come on this side of the line.” A competing halftime show featuring Kid Rock is intended to appeal to a different political base, but the momentum appears to be with those challenging current immigration policies.
Alcaraz, known for his work on the animated series “Bordertown,” emphasized the role of art in confronting injustice. “Art has always been a way to confront hate wherever it appears,” he stated. “In a public space and cultural moment the whole country is watching, images, color, and movement become a way to express love and push back against hate in plain sight.” His design for the rally towel incorporates a Puerto Rican pava straw hat, a recognizable symbol for Bad Bunny fans, alongside imagery critical of ICE.
Conrad believes Bad Bunny will utilize his platform to advocate for immigrants and celebrate Latino culture. “I think he’ll use this platform to make sure it’s clear he’s on the right side of history,” she said. The effort by Contra-ICE is part of a broader trend of athletes and artists using their visibility to speak out against ICE overreach, following similar displays at the Winter Olympics and the Grammy Awards.
The activists acknowledge their actions are a small part of a larger struggle, but they hope to inspire wider participation. “It’s not the same as the people putting their bodies on the line in Minneapolis,” Conrad conceded, referencing other protests, “but it’s likely to be extremely visible during the broadcast.” The sentiment among many is that ICE’s actions represent a significant overreach of power, with even some Trump voters expressing concern over the detention of children and families. “That doesn’t feel American, and folks are saying ‘enough,’” Conrad concluded.
