Full Breakdown
Super Bowl Protests Against ICE Highlight Immigration Issues
2/10/2026, 2:50:01 PM
Protest Overview at Levi's Stadium
On Super Bowl Sunday, February 8, 2023, approximately 300 protesters gathered outside Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California, to voice their opposition to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The demonstration coincided with the Super Bowl, where the Seattle Seahawks faced the New England Patriots. Protesters, including Democratic Representative Ro Khanna, marched with signs demanding "ICE out" and called for an end to new funding for the agency. Khanna emphasized the need to prevent ICE from operating during the event, stating, “We need to make sure also that ICE doesn't come when we're holding the World Cup.”
Distribution of Anti-ICE Merchandise
Activists from the group Contra-ICE distributed over 25,000 rally towels featuring a cartoon bunny punting a frozen football with the slogan "ICE OUT." The towels were intended to raise awareness among Super Bowl attendees about the perceived injustices associated with ICE's actions. Shasti Conrad, a leader of Contra-ICE, noted the importance of using cultural moments like the Super Bowl to challenge the current immigration policies, stating, “Culture often leads politics, and moments like this show how people are using joy, creativity, and visibility to push back against ICE.”
Bad Bunny's Halftime Performance
The halftime show featured Puerto Rican artist Bad Bunny, who has been an outspoken critic of President Donald Trump's immigration policies. His performance included political statements, such as holding a football inscribed with "Together, we are America." Bad Bunny's presence at the Super Bowl was met with mixed reactions, particularly from Trump supporters, with the former president labeling the performance as “an affront to the Greatness of America.” Despite the criticism, Bad Bunny expressed pride in performing on what he described as "the biggest stage in the world."
Responses from Officials and Activists
The protest received support from various community members, including sociologist David Tobis, who compared ICE's actions to those of Nazi Germany, stating, “ICE is killing people. They’re thugs, they’re shooting people who are demonstrating.” Meanwhile, Khanna reassured attendees that there had been no reported ICE activity at the Super Bowl, highlighting the collaboration with the San Francisco 49ers to keep ICE out of the event.
Criticism and Opposition
While the protest was largely peaceful, some attendees expressed differing views on immigration policies. A church minister named Joe remarked on the necessity of border controls, stating, “If you want to come in peaceably and work through the system… it’s beautiful.” This sentiment reflects a segment of the population that supports stricter immigration enforcement.
Conclusion
The Super Bowl protests against ICE served as a significant platform for activists to challenge current immigration policies and advocate for a more welcoming approach to immigrants. With high-profile figures like Bad Bunny and Ro Khanna participating, the event underscored the intersection of sports, culture, and political activism in contemporary America.
