The United Arab Emirates and Bahrain have issued travel warnings to citizens traveling to the United States. The advisories stem from increased racial and police tensions following the Dallas police officer shootings and questionable police officer-involved shootings of black males. Both warnings were issued following the Dallas shootings and encourage citizens to avoid protests and “Black Lives Matter” demonstrations.
The NY Daily News reports that the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain have joined the Bahamas in issuing travel warnings for the United States. The warnings are for citizens planning to travel to the United States and indicate that it may not be safe for travelers to be in areas where protests are taking place. The Bahamas was the first to issue a rare travel warning for Bahamians hoping to visit America for the upcoming holiday.
“ @TheWorldPost : Three countries issue travel warnings for the U.S. amid protests and violence https://t.co/r7wKwqQvsQ ”
— Mike Walker (@New_Narrative) July 10, 2016
The warning in the Bahamas spoke heavily to their young, male population with the advisory noting that citizens should not be “confrontational” with the American police force but rather fully comply with all orders. Considering that 90 percent of the Bahamas population is black, the warning spoke specifically to racial tensions in America and informed Bahamians to stay away from protests and to not engage in American politics.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration has taken a note of the recent tensions in some American cities over shootings of young black males by police officers. We wish to advise all Bahamians traveling to the US but especially to the affected cities to exercise appropriate caution generally. In particular young males are asked to exercise extreme caution in affected cities in their interactions with the police. Do not be confrontational and cooperate.”
In wake of police shootings in U.S., Bahamas warns American travelers to be extra careful. https://t.co/3UR7LdtWbz
— The Cenla Report (@CenlaReport) July 9, 2016
The United Arab Emirates warning urged its citizens to stay away from protests and to use caution in cities where protests were taking place. The warning was initiated after a “Black Lives Matter” movement protest in Washington DC on Friday. The Washington Post reports that Bahrain issued a travel advisory to its citizens on Twitter telling them to be “cautious of protests or crowded areas” in the United States.
Mideast countries issue U.S. travel warnings to citizens amid protests – CBS News https://t.co/SMt0wo2VN8 #Bahrain #UAE
— Marty Hisington (@Trackerinblue) July 10, 2016
It is not unusual for countries to issue travel warnings in other countries if tensions or violence is heightened. In fact, this is not the first time that a country has issued travel warnings for the United States in recent years. Canada and Germany both issued travel advisories due to “increased gun violence” in the United States and France issued similar warnings during St. Louis riots.
Many Twitter users are pointing out that Americans should be ashamed that travel advisories are being issued in this country and that we should “let that sink in” regarding the state of our nation.
Other countries are now starting to issue travel safety alerts & warnings about travel to the United States. Just gonna let that sink in.
— Allison Bills (@Arlsonbilliams) July 10, 2016
Embarrassing “ @BuzzFeed : The Bahamas just issued a travel advisory for the U.S., citing police violence pic.twitter.com/8sCZlcBhrH ”
— CK (@xoxo_ckay) July 9, 2016
#travel Advisory for it’s Bahamian #Citizens warnings given to avoid #Demonstrations and #Riots due to recent shootings. So #Disturbing SMH
— Cristina Cain (@THECristinaCain) July 10, 2016
You know it’s bad when other nations are issuing travel warnings for their black male citizens in regards to the US.
— Milly from The Creek (@2Saintsss) July 10, 2016
What do you think about the travel warnings issued by the Bahamas, Bahrain and the UAE? Is America becoming increasingly dangerous?
[Photo by Joe Danborn/AP Photo]
