American comedian and actor Eric Andre has claimed he was “racially profiled” at Melbourne Airport after he was singled out while waiting in a line and sniffed by a detection dog.
In a video posted to social media on Monday, the 41-year-old host of The Eric Andre Show said he had spent the past 25 hours flying from New York to Melbourne and then to Brisbane for work.
While at Melbourne Airport, Andre said he was pulled out of a line and put into a separate line before being “sniffed thoroughly” by a dog.
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He claimed airport staff had singled him out due to his race and that he had experienced similar incidents at the airport in the past.
“It’s one of the many times I’ve been racially profiled at the airport, so this is a message to all black, brown and indigenous people travelling through Melbourne today … pls be careful,” Andre said.
He asked anyone hiring him to work in Australia in the future to either fly him into a different airport or if flying into Melbourne, arrange security to walk with him through the airport.
“Shame on the people at the Melbourne Airport,” he said.
“This is unethical …. it has nothing to do with safety, it has everything to do with racial harassment.”
In response, Melbourne Airport left a comment underneath Andre’s video saying it was following up his complaints.
It said it does not tolerate racism in any form.
“Melbourne Airport is proudly the gateway to one of the most multicultural cities in the world,” a spokesperson said.
“We welcome all passengers to Melbourne and we expect everyone to be treated equally.”
Melbourne Airport has been contacted for further comment.
