Tom Morello has never waited for permission to make his politics visible.
That instinct followed him straight into the stands at Super Bowl LX, where the former Rage Against the Machine guitarist was spotted holding a protest towel reading ‘ICE OUT’ during the game yesterday (February 8th).
Morello shared the moment via Instagram, showing himself seated in the stadium with the message clearly displayed, the image quickly spread online, with fans recognising it as another chapter in the guitarist’s long running opposition to United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Morello has been increasingly vocal about ICE and U.S. Customs and Border Protection in recent months, particularly following incidents involving federal agents in Minneapolis that resulted in the deaths of two people.
On January 30th, Morello joined Bruce Springsteen onstage in Minneapolis for a concert that raised money for the families of both victims, reinforcing that his activism extends well beyond symbolism.
‘ICE OUT’ towel not a once off
According to information provided to Loudwire, the towel was part of a coordinated action known as Flags in the Stands, designed to quietly distribute protest materials throughout the Super Bowl crowd, the campaign describes itself as a “non-disruptive visual action.”
The towels were produced by Contra-ICE, a collective described as “artists, musicians and community organizers standing up to the inhumane treatment and abuses carried out in the name of immigration enforcement across the United States.” Each towel included a QR code directing fans to further information and resources connected to the group.
Designed by cartoonist and activist Lalo Alcaraz, the towel carried additional symbolism beyond its headline slogan, on the reverse side, a cartoon bunny kicks a football encased in ice, a clear nod to this year’s halftime performer Bad Bunny.
The illustration also features a heart shaped grenade in the bunny’s hand, visually echoing the imagery from Green Day’s 2004 album ‘American Idiot’, with the band appearing at a Super Bowl Kickoff event the same day.
The Seattle Seahawks may have beaten the New England Patriots 29–13, but for Morello, the real statement unfolded far from the field.
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