The NFL's most coveted Super Bowl merchandise - a Bad Bunny-themed towel with a "ICE OUT" message on the back - will not be sold in stores and is unlikely to appear in the stands during the big game. Instead, 15,000 of these subversive towels were secretly distributed to fans entering Levi's Stadium by activists with Contra-ICE, a group that aims to challenge Trump's immigration policies.
The towel's design features a cute bunny punting graphic on one side and an unambiguous message on the other that has become a rallying cry for the anti-ICE movement. The NFL would likely prefer to keep the game and halftime show free from controversy, but Contra-ICE sees this as an opportunity to draw attention to the issue.
"We're a big 'Joy is resistance' person," said Shasti Conrad, leader of Contra-ICE and vice chair of the Democratic National Committee. "Today is a celebration of American sports, and there are opportunities to really be heard here."
President Trump took notice of the movement, stating that he's "anti-them" and that performers Bad Bunny and Green Day have chosen "terrible" options for their halftime shows. However, Billie Joe Armstrong of Green Day made it clear that the band is not afraid to speak out against ICE.
The NFL has traditionally kept a tight leash on messaging from its halftime show performers, but this year's selection of Bad Bunny carries unusual weight in the battle over raids by federal agents on immigrant communities. Bad Bunny himself has been vocal about the importance of immigrants to the country and has spoken out against ICE policies.
For Contra-ICE, the goal is not just to protest ICE but also to inspire grassroots support for those who have been affected by these policies. "Art has always been a way to confront hate wherever it appears," said Lalo Alcaraz, a renowned SoCal cartoonist and illustrator behind the towel's design.
As the Super Bowl continues to air on TV and millions of fans watch at home, the visibility of this protest is likely to be immense. For Contra-ICE, that is exactly the point - to make it impossible for people to ignore the issue and to inspire others to take action in their own communities.
The towel's design features a cute bunny punting graphic on one side and an unambiguous message on the other that has become a rallying cry for the anti-ICE movement. The NFL would likely prefer to keep the game and halftime show free from controversy, but Contra-ICE sees this as an opportunity to draw attention to the issue.
"We're a big 'Joy is resistance' person," said Shasti Conrad, leader of Contra-ICE and vice chair of the Democratic National Committee. "Today is a celebration of American sports, and there are opportunities to really be heard here."
President Trump took notice of the movement, stating that he's "anti-them" and that performers Bad Bunny and Green Day have chosen "terrible" options for their halftime shows. However, Billie Joe Armstrong of Green Day made it clear that the band is not afraid to speak out against ICE.
The NFL has traditionally kept a tight leash on messaging from its halftime show performers, but this year's selection of Bad Bunny carries unusual weight in the battle over raids by federal agents on immigrant communities. Bad Bunny himself has been vocal about the importance of immigrants to the country and has spoken out against ICE policies.
For Contra-ICE, the goal is not just to protest ICE but also to inspire grassroots support for those who have been affected by these policies. "Art has always been a way to confront hate wherever it appears," said Lalo Alcaraz, a renowned SoCal cartoonist and illustrator behind the towel's design.
As the Super Bowl continues to air on TV and millions of fans watch at home, the visibility of this protest is likely to be immense. For Contra-ICE, that is exactly the point - to make it impossible for people to ignore the issue and to inspire others to take action in their own communities.
. It's like, the more people see this message on that towel - 'ICE OUT' - the more they gotta think about it. And I'm all for that, as long as it keeps the conversation going, you know? It's not just about protesting ICE, but also about inspiring grassroots support for those affected by these policies. The fact that artists like Bad Bunny and Green Day are using their platforms to speak out is a good thing, too. It shows that even in the world of sports, where people usually keep it real safe, there's room for some nuance and activism 
The NFL's decision to let fans get creative with Super Bowl merchandise is kinda cool but also super confusing 
. Like, who wouldn't want a towel with Bad Bunny punting on it? 
But at the same time, I guess the NFL doesn't wanna mess with Trump and his immigration policies... or so they think 
. It's all about spreading awareness, right? 
. It's actually kinda genius how Billie Joe Armstrong and Bad Bunny are using their platforms to speak out against ICE, it's like music to my ears 
. I'm glad Lalo Alcaraz got to create that sick towel design 
, it's a perfect symbol of resistance. And Shasti Conrad is so right, art has always been a way to challenge hate and bring people together 
. This protest might just be the thing that gets more ppl talking about ICE policies and inspires real change 
just saw that those Bad Bunny towels are getting a major shoutout from anti-ICE activists 
I gotta give props to Contra-ICE for using this kinda attention to raise awareness about some really important issues 
It's all about spreading love and joy, but also sparking change 
What's wild is how the NFL tried to sweep it under the rug, while Bad Bunny himself has been speaking out against ICE policies 
That's some major Activism 101 right there.
. And let's be real, the design is fire 
- that bunny punting graphic is everything 
. Contra-ICE is all about using art as a form of resistance and I am HERE FOR IT 
. The fact that President Trump is getting salty just shows how much he's got to lose 
. But at the same time, can't imagine being a fan at the game and seeing all these protesters in the stands 
. And I gotta respect Contra-ICE's mission - using art as a form of resistance? That's some cool stuff 
. Guess you could say Contra-ICE has the last laugh in this case 
. I mean, it just shows that he's not interested in listening or having a nuanced conversation about these issues. And for Contra-ICE, that's exactly the point – they're not trying to have a respectful conversation with Trump, but rather to challenge his policies and inspire people to take action in their own communities 
.
. And we need to keep pushing back against politicians who try to silence us or dismiss our concerns 
. The visibility of this protest is definitely going to be huge, and I think it's going to spark a lot of conversations and inspire people to take action 
I'm literally shook by the fact that some fans are going rogue with Bad Bunny-themed towels at the Super Bowl! 
Let's keep it positive, folks - this Super Bowl protest is all about love and acceptance