Eric André claims he was the victim of racist discrimination while travelling through Australia’s Melbourne airport on Sunday (18 August).
The 41-year-old comedian, who previously sued Clayton County police over alleged ethnic discrimination at Atlanta Airport in 2022, claims staff specifically targeted “black, brown and indigenous” people for additional security screening.
André said he was “pulled out of a queue” during security in Melbourne after facing a 25-hour day of travel and was “put in a special queue” where he was “thoroughly sniffed by a dog”.
He posted a video on Instagram and added: “This is one of the many times I have been a victim of racism at the airport.
“So this is a message to all black, brown and Indigenous people travelling through Melbourne today, particularly if you are travelling through Qantas International at Terminal 2: please be cautious.”
A Melbourne Airport spokesman said The Independent: “Melbourne Airport has no tolerance for racism. We welcome all passengers to Melbourne and expect everyone to be treated equally.”
They added: “Upon learning of Mr Andre’s complaint, we immediately requested the Australian Border Force (ABF) and the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF), the government agencies responsible for processing all international arrivals into Australia, including Melbourne Airport, to investigate the matter. These agencies have now provided Mr Andre with a response.”
In a statement to The IndependentA spokesman for the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) said all international arrivals would undergo biosecurity screening.
“As part of these processes, each traveller will complete an entry card and their luggage may be x-rayed, individual checks will be carried out and luggage unpacked, or general screening will be carried out using our highly trained dogs,” they said. “Every traveller entering Australia will undergo some or all of these screening measures.”
In an Instagram comment, Eric Andre Show In the star’s video, a representative from the Australian Border Force claimed not to have been involved in the incident, writing: “Here at the ABF we are really proud of our diverse workforce, particularly at @melbourneairportau, and the work they do – both humans and dogs – to keep the country safe.”
The Independent Please send a comment to Andrés representative.
Elsewhere in André’s post, the comedian urged his Australian employers not to let him go through Melbourne Airport without assistance: “Provide me with a police escort or some sort of security escort or let me fly straight to Brisbane or Sydney,” he said. “I don’t feel safe at Melbourne Airport.”
The comedian and actor who appeared in Disney’s live-action film Lion King Remake asked his social media followers to recommend a lawyer for discrimination cases in Australia: “It has nothing to do with safety, it has everything to do with racial harassment,” he added of the security dog measures at Melbourne Airport.
He continued: “I don’t want to cut my hair and wear a three-piece suit so I can be treated like a first class citizen. I shouldn’t feel like I’m unacceptable when I enter a country. Shame on the people at Melbourne airport who have to undergo this silly procedure.”
André had already filed a lawsuit against Clayton County police in 2022 for alleged ethnic discrimination at Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta Airport. According to the county, it was a “consensual encounter” with police.
André said he had a “moral calling” to file a lawsuit against this “unethical” practice.
“I have the means to bring national and international attention to this incident. It is not an isolated incident,” he said. “If black people don’t stand up for each other, who will?”
