Activists Hand Out 'ICE OUT' Towels at Super Bowl Halftime

Protesters aim to raise awareness of immigration issues during the big game's halftime show.

Published on Feb. 8, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A group of activists distributed over 25,000 towels with the words 'ICE OUT' printed on them to Super Bowl attendees on Sunday, hoping fans would display the towels during the game's halftime show to protest the Trump administration's immigration enforcement policies. The protest was organized by the Contra-ICE coalition of artists, musicians, and community organizers.

Why it matters

The Super Bowl is one of the most-watched television events in the United States, providing a high-profile platform for political messaging. The activists hope to use this opportunity to raise awareness about immigration issues and push back against the Trump administration's controversial immigration enforcement tactics.

The details

The towels featured artwork by political cartoonist Lalo Alcaraz, including a cartoon rabbit wearing a jibaro hat and holding a grenade, a reference to musician Bad Bunny who was performing at the halftime show. The towels were distributed by volunteers near entry points and public transit, and many fans were receptive to the message, though some discarded the towels.

  • The towels were distributed to Super Bowl attendees on Sunday, February 8, 2026.
  • Bad Bunny was scheduled to perform during the Super Bowl halftime show.

The players

Contra-ICE

A coalition of artists, musicians, and community organizers who organized the protest and distributed the 'ICE OUT' towels.

Lalo Alcaraz

A political cartoonist and activist who designed the artwork featured on the towels.

Bad Bunny

A Puerto Rican musician who was scheduled to perform during the Super Bowl halftime show.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Art has always been a way to confront hate wherever it appears. When injustice becomes part of everyday life, artists have a responsibility to make it visible. 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.”

— Lalo Alcaraz, Political cartoonist and activist

“No moment in our collective national experience, whether cultural, sporting, or celebratory, can be held in a vacuum while the country descends into authoritarianism and the majority of people are saying enough. This is not who we are. Even in a moment of joy, we can stand up.”

— Dali Colorado, Contra-ICE member

What’s next

The protest organizers hope that the 'ICE OUT' towels will continue to be used by fans and viewers to raise awareness about immigration issues during and after the Super Bowl game.

The takeaway

This protest highlights how major cultural and sporting events can be used as platforms to draw attention to important political and social issues, even in the face of efforts to keep such events 'apolitical'. The activists' use of creative visuals and widespread distribution of the towels demonstrates the power of grassroots organizing to insert meaningful messages into high-profile moments.