Eric André Says He Was ‘Racially Profiled’ and ‘Detained’ at Melbourne Airport: ‘I Do Not Feel Safe. I Do Not Want to Be Humiliated’

As a seasoned movie reviewer who has traveled far and wide to uncover the stories hidden within the silver screen, I find myself compelled to weigh in on this recent incident involving Eric André and his harrowing experience at Melbourne Airport.


I personally experienced being racially profiled and held for questioning upon arriving at Melbourne Airport, following a string of flights from New York City.

In an Instagram video, the entertainer and actor shared that he was “taken from a group and led to a separate line in Melbourne, where a dog gave me a thorough sniffing.”

“André stated, ‘This is yet another instance where I’ve experienced racial profiling at the airport.’ Therefore, this is a message to all individuals of color, including Black, Brown, and Indigenous people, who are traveling through Melbourne today.”

André subsequently reached out to his approximately 3 million social media fans, inquiring whether they had details regarding a particular law enforcement initiative, or data concerning the frequency of white passengers vs individuals of color being stopped. Additionally, he requested suggestions for an attorney specializing in discrimination cases within Australia.

André shared that he journeyed from New York to Australia specifically for a filming venture, making brief stops in Los Angeles and Brisbane along the way. Upon arriving at Melbourne, he requested potential employers there to arrange for a police escort to guide him safely through the airport.

“I do not feel safe in the Melbourne Airport. I do not want to be humiliated or racially discriminated against anymore at these airports,” he said. “I don’t want to cut my hair and wear a three-piece suit so that I’m treated like a first-class citizen. I shouldn’t be made to feel that I am unaccepted by entering a country. Shame on the people at the Melbourne Airport that have this cockamamie procedure. I doubt it yields any safer world for anybody in Melbourne or Australia.”

Andre drew a parallel between the practice and Giuliani’s “stop and frisk,” finding it both “unfair” and “not secure.” He further emphasized that it was not about ensuring safety, but rather a form of “racial profiling.”

In response to André’s claims, the authentic Instagram account for Melbourne Airport stated: “We at Melbourne Airport do not condone racism whatsoever. We are actively investigating your complaint with both the Australian Border Force (ABF) and the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Forestry (DAFF), who handle all international arrivals at Melbourne Airport and other Australian entry points. Melbourne Airport takes pride in being a gateway to one of the most diverse cities globally. We warmly invite ALL travelers to Melbourne, and we strive for everyone to be treated fairly and equally.”

In 2021, André claimed he experienced racial profiling, being singled out for a search by police at the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, suspecting him of drug possession. The humorist asserted that he was the sole person of color in the line when the officers approached him.

In conjunction with comedian Clayton English, who independently claimed he experienced racial profiling and drug search at the same airport, Andre initiated a lawsuit against the police program. This action was taken as they believed it infringed upon the constitutional rights of airline travelers. After the case was thrown out, André and English lodged an appeal in January 2024.

André is particularly recognized for developing and presenting “The Eric Andre Show” on Adult Swim, an experimental talk series, as well as his performances in “The Righteous Gemstones,” “Bad Trip,” and the 2019 version of “The Lion King.” Upcoming, he will appear in the comedy film “Balls Up,” which is interestingly being filmed in Australia.

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2024-08-20 20:47