Eric André, the renowned comedian and actor, has taken to Instagram to narrate a harrowing tale of racial profiling and unwarranted detention at the Melbourne Airport, following a series of flights that traversed from the bustling city of New York. In a visceral video, he recounted being "singled out from the crowd and ushered into a designated lane in Melbourne, where I underwent an exhaustive sniffing routine by a canine officer, as if I were some sort of contraband."
"This, alas, is but one chapter in the recurring saga of racial profiling I've encountered at airports," André lamented, his voice tinged with frustration. "I raise this as a poignant reminder to all those of African, brown, and indigenous descent embarking on journeys through Melbourne's terminals today."
He then reached out to his nearly three million devoted followers, seeking insight into the specific police program at play and statistical evidence that would shed light on the disproportionate targeting of passengers of color vis-à-vis their white counterparts. Furthermore, he solicited referrals for discrimination attorneys in Australia, determined to address this injustice head-on.
Detailing his journey's purpose, André shared that he had traversed from New York to Australia for a filming project, with detours in Los Angeles and Brisbane. Amidst the chaos, he issued a poignant plea to potential employers in Melbourne: "Please, consider engaging a police escort for my travels through the airport. I no longer feel secure within its confines, nor do I wish to endure further humiliation or racial discrimination."
"I refuse to conform to societal expectations by cutting my hair or dressing in a three-piece suit merely to be treated as a worthy citizen," he declared fervently. "Entering a country should never feel like an act of rejection or unacceptance. The practices at the Melbourne Airport are nothing short of absurd and shameful. I sincerely doubt they contribute to a safer environment for anyone in Melbourne or Australia."
Drawing parallels between his ordeal and the controversial "Giuliani stop-and-frisk" tactics, André vehemently denounced the process as "both unethical and perilous, devoid of any semblance of safety but steeped in racial harassment." He emphasized, "Safety is a non-factor here; it's purely a matter of racial prejudice."
In swift response, the official Instagram handle of Melbourne Airport addressed André's accusations in the comment thread, stating emphatically, "Melbourne Airport stands firm against racism in all its forms. We have taken your complaint seriously and are liaising with the Australian Border Force (ABF) and the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Forestry (DAFF), the authorities entrusted with managing international arrivals at our airport and other Australian entry points. As the proud gateway to one of the most vibrant multicultural cities globally, Melbourne Airport welcomes ALL travelers with open arms, where equality and respect reign supreme."
Flashing back to 2021, André recounted his harrowing experience of being racially profiled and subjected to a drug search at the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. The comedian recounted that he was the solitary person of color in the queue when the police officers singled him out. In solidarity, fellow comedian Clayton English, who faced a similar ordeal at the same airport, joined André in filing a lawsuit against the police program, alleging it violated the constitutional rights of airline passengers. Despite an initial setback with the suit being dismissed, André and English persevered, filing an appeal in January 2024.
Renowned for his groundbreaking experimental talk show "The Eric Andre Show" on Adult Swim and his noteworthy roles in "The Righteous Gemstones," "Bad Trip," and the 2019 remake of "The Lion King," André's star continues to shine brightly. His latest endeavor sees him starring in the upcoming Mark Wahlberg comedy "Balls Up," a film coincidentally being filmed in Australia, adding yet another exciting chapter to his already illustrious career.
