Eric Andre, the well-known comedian and actor, recently made headlines after alleging that he was racially profiled while passing through Melbourne Airport in Australia. The Black, biracial comedian, who has been vocal about racial discrimination in the past, took to Instagram to share his distressing experience.
Andre explained that he had been traveling from New York City to Brisbane, Australia, with multiple stops, including Los Angeles and Melbourne. After more than 25 hours of flights, Andre found himself subjected to what he described as racial harassment at the Melbourne Airport. In a video posted on his Instagram, Andre revealed that he was placed in a line where he was “sniffed thoroughly by a dog,” an experience he believes was motivated by racial profiling.
“This is one of the many times I’ve been racially profiled at the airport,” Andre stated in the video. He urged Black, brown, and Indigenous people traveling through Melbourne to exercise caution, suggesting that they, too, might be targeted. Andre also asked his followers to share any information they might have regarding Melbourne Airport’s policies on the use of sniffer dogs and even sought leads on Australian attorneys specializing in racial discrimination cases.
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Andre’s experience has sparked a conversation about racial profiling in airports, with many of his followers and fans expressing their support. The comedian also made it clear that he no longer feels safe passing through Melbourne Airport without some form of security escort, asking those hiring him for future projects in Australia to arrange for alternative travel routes or additional security measures.
In response to Andre’s claims, a spokesperson for Melbourne Airport issued a statement emphasizing that the airport “does not tolerate racism in any form.” The spokesperson further noted that the airport has requested Australian government agencies responsible for processing international arrivals to investigate the matter, and a response has been provided to Andre.
Australia’s Department of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Forestry (DAFF) also responded to the incident, stating that all passengers arriving in Australia undergo biosecurity screening processes, which may include the use of highly trained dogs. The department insisted that these measures are standard for all travelers entering the country.
This isn’t the first time Eric Andre has spoken out about racial profiling. In 2021, he reported being racially profiled by law enforcement agents at Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport. The following year, Andre, along with fellow comedian Clayton English, filed a lawsuit against Clayton County, Georgia, alleging racial profiling and illegal stops at the same airport. Their lawyers filed an appeal in January 2024 after the initial lawsuit was dismissed.
Andre’s recent experience in Australia underscores the ongoing issue of racial profiling in airports, prompting renewed calls for fairness and transparency in how passengers are treated, regardless of their race or ethnicity.
