Kulturkampf

[Potato]

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-08-20/eric-andre-alleged-racial-profiling-melbourne-airport/104246072

So, Eric Andre is a complete wanker, right?

Melbourne Airport says an alleged racial profiling incident involving a US comedian is being investigated by government agencies.

Comedian Eric André posted to social media on Monday, claiming he was singled out and made to stand in a separate line for a security inspection after arriving at Melbourne Airport's Terminal 2.

"I do not want to be humiliated or racially discriminated against anymore at these airports," André said.

"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."

In the social media post, André called on future employers to arrange for a police or security escort for him at the airport, as he no longer felt safe in the terminal.

In a statement, Melbourne Airport said the allegations were contrary to the airport's ethos and that an investigation had been launched by the appropriate agencies.

"Melbourne Airport does not tolerate racism in any form. We welcome all passengers to Melbourne, and we expect everyone to be treated equally," a Melbourne Airport spokesperson said.

"Upon being made aware of Mr Andre's complaint, we immediately asked the Australian Border Force (ABF) and the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF), the government agencies in charge of processing all international arrivals into Australia, including at Melbourne Airport, to investigate.

"Those agencies have now provided a response to Mr Andre."

Melbourne Airport said it had been advised by government agencies that André was not detained or interrogated at any point.

In response to the allegations, the ABF said it was not involved in the incident.

"We have confirmed that this was not a [Australian Border Force] detector dog or interaction," the ABF said.

"Here at the ABF we are really proud of our diverse workforce, especially at [Melbourne Airport], and the work they undertake — both human and canine — to keep the country safe."

In its own response, DAFF said all travellers were subject to biosecurity screening processes when entering Australia.

"As part of these processes, every traveller will complete incoming passenger cards and may have their baggage scanned through x-rays, be subject to individual inspections and unpacking of baggage, or by general screening with the assistance of our highly trained dog," a department spokesperson said.

"Any traveller coming into Australia will experience some or all of these screening measures."

Of the 21 million passengers who arrived in Australia by air in 2023-24, more than 7.9 million underwent "biosecurity intervention", the spokesperson said.

The spokesperson also confirmed the department has received and responded to complaints from travellers following this type of screening.

Pretty standard quarantine/biosecurity screening that happens in Australia.

We have so many issues with introduced pests (not including second rate US comedians) that everyone will be checked over at least once by sniffer dogs while travelling.

He isn't special and no one gives a shit about him enough to racially profile him.

Hilarously, most of the security staff at airports are Indian, Middle Eastern or Pacific Islander anyway.

Get a life moran!