Narayan AmmachchiBahamas has issued a travel warning for its citizens visiting the United States, following the violent protests sparked by the fatal shootings of two African-American men by police in Louisiana and Minnesota.
“We wish to advise all Bahamians traveling to the U.S. to exercise appropriate caution,” stated the Bahamian Foreign Affairs Ministry in a press release.
The US regularly issues travel advisories for Americans visiting other countries, but it is rare for nations to issue warnings for their citizens traveling to the US.
The former British colony celebrates its Independence Day holiday on 10 July, spurring many Bahamians to head overseas on a week-long vacation. A large majority of the Bahamas population is of African descent and the United States is one of their favorite tourism destinations.
The ministry has recommended particular care for young men in U.S. cities affected by tensions. “Do not get involved in political or other demonstrations under any circumstances and avoid crowds,” it advised.
The United Arab Emirates and Bahrain have also issued similar warnings for their citizens in the United States, choosing similar statements the U.S. State Department employs when warning Americans about nations that have fallen victim to extremist attacks.
Many African-Americans have been killed in police shootings in recent months. In reply to the recent shootings, Minnesota’s Governor, Mark Dayton, commented that police wouldn’t have shot and killed the guy if he’d been white.
Such comments, combined by the memory of a string of past shootings, appear to be fueling the protests, which have already led to numerous arrests, scuffles and injuries.
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